Re: Live streaming Workington : Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:38 pm  

Bulls4 wrote:

Well it sounds like I am in the minority but.....I do not like the idea of a free live stream regardless of the supposed reasons for it.

I have no problem with a stream after the game has concluded but to me we are giving our product away for nothing with a free live stream and sending a message out to fans not to bother buying our higher than average tickets when they can watch for free. I don’t see how this is any different from the RFL giving away sponsorship to stobarts for free and getting slated for it.

I have a season ticket and prefer to go to a game for the experience and social side but I can’t see these thousands of lapsed fans watching a stream for free and thinking ‘yes I will part with the best part of £20+ and go rather than at best turn in for free next week’.

Hopefully I’m wrong or we are building towards a subscription service but, although I will buy a season ticket next year, I have a nagging doubt in my mind saying why when it’s free online....

Well I’ve been following the club for over 30 years but last year on top of everything else we’ve been through really sickened me off. To be forced to stay in a league for an entire season with relegation almost certain was a real kick in the nuts. So I definitely lost heart, found other things to do on a a Sunday and found I didn’t really miss it. I now very rarely watch a SL game and my interest in the sport is a lot more casual that it used to be.

However I watched the stream against York and I enjoyed it. So much so that it convinced me to take the family to Keighley. Now ok, that hasn’t really benefited the Bulls but that is more down to other commitments. I’m sure I will get to some games this year now which I’m not sure I would have done if I hadn’t have been following the streams and finding myself taking more interest once again. So perhaps I am the target audience and maybe some proof that there are some benefits?

Re: Live streaming Workington : Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:06 pm  

Maccbull_BigBullyBooaza wrote:

God as if people are replying to a drunk Workington fan after his club have won their cup final.

Fact is we’ve really embarrassed ourselves this weekend. Not the result but the way weve carried ourselves as a club. 1 step forward 2 steps back - again!!!

Meet the new boss - same as the old boss.

I'm actually a bit surprised he hasn't offered up an apology (yet). He clearly let his emotions run away and posted 'in haste' the other day, which seems really out of character. Frankly, he never usually comments on anything, so he must have really let this get to him.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of apology or climbdown in the next day or two

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:06 am  

paulwalker71 wrote:

I'm actually a bit surprised he hasn't offered up an apology (yet). He clearly let his emotions run away and posted 'in haste' the other day, which seems really out of character. Frankly, he never usually comments on anything, so he must have really let this get to him.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of apology or climbdown in the next day or two

I think he’s best not mentioning it and moving on.

One things for sure though. If a spat between people that should know better at 2 part time clubs in league one is the biggest story of the week - we’re still a thing- which is good for sponsorship. Look at how eager the knuckle draggers were to get their knickers in a twist. Even super league fans!

3,2,1...

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:10 am  

For those that follow me on Twitter/Facebook will know that two weeks ago, I was at Derwent Park and the Recreation Ground with Sam Bridges (Proper Sport) testing the cameras ahead of the planned live stream. 

I think it's important to point out that as a club and organisation, the Bradford Bulls and Proper Sport don't just turn up at these grounds unannounced. 

I personally phoned Workington Town up - some eight days before our visit and explained what we would like to do - the response from Workington Town was that we were good to visit Derwent Park on the 28/3/18 for a ground site visit.

When myself and Proper Sport arrived at Derwent Park on 28/3/18, Workington Town welcomed us with open arms, one of their directors and a volunteer were present as the Workington chairman is a driving instructor and had a full diary, so couldn't meet us on our visit.

Once at Derwent Park we had numerous cups of tea, talked for over 90 minutes about the current state of Rugby League before we conducted our site visit. I would like to thank Workington for their generous hospitality.

Whilst we were on site it was communicated to myself and Proper Sport that the chairman was worried the coverage would be too pro-Bradford.

I showed the two memebers of staff from Workington the coverage from the York and Keighley games, and explained that we could get the chairman or coach/player to be part of the production - eg have them on the live during the broadcast to give the coverage a balanced view.

This was communicated back to the Workington chairman and we left Derwent Park with an agreement to stream the game with the chairman wanting to be filmed pitchside talking promoting all things Workington Town. 

For whatever reason that I'm not privy to, Workington Town then changed their mind last week, four days before the game was scheduled to take place.

Yes, it's frustrating because myself and Proper Sport spent a full day with the camera equipment on the Cumbria peninsula, but ultimately Workington Town have the final say in the matter of who is allowed to stream/film games as per the 2018 RFL operational handbook.

[Bulliac]

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:07 am  

Bulls4 wrote:

Well it sounds like I am in the minority but.....I do not like the idea of a free live stream regardless of the supposed reasons for it.

I have no problem with a stream after the game has concluded but to me we are giving our product away for nothing with a free live stream and sending a message out to fans not to bother buying our higher than average tickets when they can watch for free. I don’t see how this is any different from the RFL giving away sponsorship to stobarts for free and getting slated for it.

I have a season ticket and prefer to go to a game for the experience and social side but I can’t see these thousands of lapsed fans watching a stream for free and thinking ‘yes I will part with the best part of £20+ and go rather than at best turn in for free next week’.

Hopefully I’m wrong or we are building towards a subscription service but, although I will buy a season ticket next year, I have a nagging doubt in my mind saying why when it’s free online....

That is one of the strangest aspects of this mess. As it is, no-one is gaining anything, apart from those who are gaining a free viewing - it is all expense and a totally loss making endeavour as someone is clearly paying the, I'd guess not insubstantial, expenses incurred in buying equipment, travelling to grounds and setting it up and then putting out the broadcasts and then getting nothing back. I fact the most likely (financial)result of the current set-up, as identified by the Workington chairman, would be that the odd person might decide not to go and watch the stream, and though I doubt very that would be very many, I'm far from surprised that clubs might quibble.

It seems pretty obvious that this season is some sort of trial and that when the glitches are ironed out then some kind of subscription service (with ads, maybe?) will evolve. Whilst I'm sorry for those who want to go and can't, I don't think they can really complain too much about losing a freebie, disappointed as they, no doubt, are.

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 12:09 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

That is one of the strangest aspects of this mess. As it is, no-one is gaining anything, apart from those who are gaining a free viewing - it is all expense and a totally loss making endeavour as someone is clearly paying the, I'd guess not insubstantial, expenses incurred in buying equipment, travelling to grounds and setting it up and then putting out the broadcasts and then getting nothing back. I fact the most likely (financial)result of the current set-up, as identified by the Workington chairman, would be that the odd person might decide not to go and watch the stream, and though I doubt very that would be very many, I'm far from surprised that clubs might quibble.

It seems pretty obvious that this season is some sort of trial and that when the glitches are ironed out then some kind of subscription service (with ads, maybe?) will evolve. Whilst I'm sorry for those who want to go and can't, I don't think they can really complain too much about losing a freebie, disappointed as they, no doubt, are.

Right at the top of this very page someone has explained how watching one of the streams led to them and their entire family going to the Keighley game, and you come out and say nobody is gaining anything?

How many more people like Bully Boxer saw one of the streamed games and decided to check out a match in person?
What is the % swing in terms of walk up support since we started streaming games?
Have we sold any season tickets since the streams began?

Unless you have access to this info then I don't see how you can call it a loss making exercise.
The expenditure is advertising, it's as simple as that. We advertise our product and if people like it, they get involved. How successful the advertising is will take time to determine.

But what is the alternative? Wait for the RFL to help this division out? Well they actually want to cut all funding to this division so yeah, that clearly isn't going to happen. We can tread water like the Workingtons of this division or we can experiment with something different like this.

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 12:29 pm  

MicktheGled wrote:

For those that follow me on Twitter/Facebook will know that two weeks ago, I was at Derwent Park and the Recreation Ground with Sam Bridges (Proper Sport) testing the cameras ahead of the planned live stream. 

I think it's important to point out that as a club and organisation, the Bradford Bulls and Proper Sport don't just turn up at these grounds unannounced. 

I personally phoned Workington Town up - some eight days before our visit and explained what we would like to do - the response from Workington Town was that we were good to visit Derwent Park on the 28/3/18 for a ground site visit.

When myself and Proper Sport arrived at Derwent Park on 28/3/18, Workington Town welcomed us with open arms, one of their directors and a volunteer were present as the Workington chairman is a driving instructor and had a full diary, so couldn't meet us on our visit.

Once at Derwent Park we had numerous cups of tea, talked for over 90 minutes about the current state of Rugby League before we conducted our site visit. I would like to thank Workington for their generous hospitality.

Whilst we were on site it was communicated to myself and Proper Sport that the chairman was worried the coverage would be too pro-Bradford.

I showed the two memebers of staff from Workington the coverage from the York and Keighley games, and explained that we could get the chairman or coach/player to be part of the production - eg have them on the live during the broadcast to give the coverage a balanced view.

This was communicated back to the Workington chairman and we left Derwent Park with an agreement to stream the game with the chairman wanting to be filmed pitchside talking promoting all things Workington Town. 

For whatever reason that I'm not privy to, Workington Town then changed their mind last week, four days before the game was scheduled to take place.

Yes, it's frustrating because myself and Proper Sport spent a full day with the camera equipment on the Cumbria peninsula, but ultimately Workington Town have the final say in the matter of who is allowed to stream/film games as per the 2018 RFL operational handbook.

When Mick Gledhill gives a sensible and reasoned response, but the chairman of the club comes across as a petulant child. The world has gone mental.

Is it Freaky Friday?

[Bulliac]

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:20 pm  

Nothus wrote:

Right at the top of this very page someone has explained how watching one of the streams led to them and their entire family going to the Keighley game, and you come out and say nobody is gaining anything?

How many more people like Bully Boxer saw one of the streamed games and decided to check out a match in person?
What is the % swing in terms of walk up support since we started streaming games?
Have we sold any season tickets since the streams began?

Unless you have access to this info then I don't see how you can call it a loss making exercise.
The expenditure is advertising, it's as simple as that. We advertise our product and if people like it, they get involved. How successful the advertising is will take time to determine.

But what is the alternative? Wait for the RFL to help this division out? Well they actually want to cut all funding to this division so yeah, that clearly isn't going to happen. We can tread water like the Workingtons of this division or we can experiment with something different like this.

With respect Nothus, that's mostly airy fairy nonesence.

Unless they have some kind of hard baked plan to make money from this (and I'm sort of assuming that someone must have) then giving away permanent free samples to folk who will then continue to expect it for free, certainly isn't my idea of a great money making scheme. If they can make it pay then fine, but I'd definitely like to see the business plan, since all we've seen so far (apart from free games) are costs.

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:21 pm  

HamsterChops wrote:

When Mick Gledhill gives a sensible and reasoned response, but the chairman of the club comes across as a petulant child. The world has gone mental.

Is it Freaky Friday?

give it a rest... you seem to hate Gledhill, that's your issue, some of us are thankful for his excellent commentary and passion for the Bulls - oh and he doesn't go round comparing current Bulls players to doggy dooo....

Re: Live streaming Workington : Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:55 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

With respect Nothus, that's mostly airy fairy nonesence.

Unless they have some kind of hard baked plan to make money from this (and I'm sort of assuming that someone must have) then giving away permanent free samples to folk who will then continue to expect it for free, certainly isn't my idea of a great money making scheme. If they can make it pay then fine, but I'd definitely like to see the business plan, since all we've seen so far (apart from free games) are costs.

So clear evidence of the stream bringing in a lapsed supporter is nonsense?
Okay then