Viewers to remain in dark on rugby

Press, 14 April 1978, Page 11

Viewers to remain in dark on rugby

W By

KEN COATES

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union continues to treat viewers like children in its refusal to agree to the advance announcement of what Saturday games are to be televised. Even when test matches and important provincial fixtures are obvious choices for television coverage, the union insists that TVI

roust not tell viewers beforehand. Under the terms of the contract which TVI has signed with the union, the channel is likely to be bound by the effect of this

extraordinarily narrowminded attitude for the next three years. According to TVI sources, the rugby union takes the view that advance announcement of what match is to be televised would keep people away from attending games — and paying gate money — so that they can stay at home with their TV sets instead.

The rugby men also fear that spectators might decide to stay away from local matches, in favour of watching television coverage of a game in another centre.

The policy appears to be governed by an unreasonable fear that gates will be seriously affected by “live” television coverage.

Television One’s head of sport (Mr Harold Anderson), who negotiated the contract, is noncommittal about the no-information clause.

He expresses satisfaction with the contract as a whole and says he can understand the rugby union’s point of view.

Mr Anderson would not reveal the fee paid by TVI, or any details of the contract.