Google "has a seat at the negotiating table" for the National Rugby League's broadcast rights in a "shock development" that could revolutionize how sport is consumed, according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The governing body has approached the multinational "about the prospect of streaming live games" as part of an expected shift toward digital coverage. Traditional free-to-air and pay-TV broadcasters have been engaged in negotiations since late April -- "well before the current rights deal expires" in '17 -- in a bid to "create competitive tension" and to get in before rival code Australian Football League. However, the inclusion of Google in discussions "shapes as a potential game changer, although the anti-siphoning laws present potential challenges in live streaming." The NRL is "considering several approaches to the current negotiations,
including selling separately the highly lucrative State of Origin
series." The three interstate games alone are estimated to be worth up to A$500,000 ($387,200) a minute. Global Media and Sports Managing Dir Colin Smith predicted Google's entry into the fray would put "upward
pressure" on the asking price. Smith: "If you have the view that young
people stay with smartphones and tablets [in favor of traditional TV], digital in the next 10 years becomes the preeminent
media." Even before the latest developments, Smith predicted the next agreement could be worth up to A$2B ($1.55B) (SMH, 6/16).
