NL North and South Live TV games. Next batch of games announced by BT.

[Blue_and_Gold]

For the first time, a National League North and South regular season game will be broadcast live to the nation.

https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/its-a-bt-sport-first-as-next-batch-of-live-tv-game-73024

[Mallard]

With live games now filtering down to Step 2 and Sat 3pm games becoming the norm what will this to attendances at these game ?   We also have live streaming coming into play going forward for all games at Steps 1 & 2..

Is this all really the best way forward for the Non League game?   Would love to hear our Chairmans thoughts on this

[John H]

Mallard, I get your point, would fans that come to the Walks watch it on TV instead. Would you?, I would say no, you wouldn’t, as you enjoy the atmosphere and match day experience. So, I don’t think it would be detrimental, in fact it could be a good thing. There are plenty of Lynn people who don’t attend, but are interested in our results and progress. If they then had the opportunity to watch Lynn on TV, they probably would. Imagine if they had watched the Darlington game, or any game come to that, it would probably only be a matter of time before they came to a game. It would certainly publicise the club, so I think it would be a good thing.
I know I would attend, rather than watch via TV, as I think the vast majority would.

[Blue_and_Gold]

With all the time, effort and considerable finances involved, you would have to say these people have done their homework on this. No doubt some will gain financially, others not.

I think a big part of it being successful or not will be the cost. Both watching it on TV and the entry price the clubs charge.

People will be looking to reduce expenditure, and may feel they can sacrifice the "match day experience" if they can save a few quid.

Could well be that the armchair is a better option for the older fan, rather than having to climb and descent Mount Everest everytime, only to have to sit in a drafty old stand, which very often is not that clean.

Could be the preferred option for disabled fans as well, unless they are taken better care of.

Will pubs be allowed to show the games? If so, that could keep many away depending on the effort local publicans are prepared to put into it.

I can't see how it will help to get more people through the gate. I think gates will decrease because of it (to some degree), but depending on the deal, financially it may be better for some clubs.

As always, winners and losers.

[wack]

Have lynn been picked for a tv match?

[Blue_and_Gold]

Have lynn been picked for a tv match?

Not yet, but will happen sooner or later.

Probably sooner rather than later with the form they're in.


https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/its-a-bt-sport-first-as-next-batch-of-live-tv-game-73024

[Mallard]

John I get what you are saying.  Just at the moment fans want to be there at The Walks to watch what is an exciting team winning games.   What would happen if we were in mid table or even worse struggling around the bottom end ?

Also what will be the encouragement for away fans to spend £1.70 a litre plus all the costs associated with an away day trip when you could stay home and watch for say a tenner.

I guess we will find out.  Love to hear SC’s take on it.  I wonder how much the home Club gets for hosting a TV game in the NLN ?

As for the streaming I seem to recall SC saying this was the future for clubs at our level.

[Blue_and_Gold]

As for the streaming I seem to recall SC saying this was the future for clubs at our level.

Yes, with a world wide audience.

[John H]

When we played Oldham, that game was live on Sky Sports. It didn’t stop the 5,444 (including away) fans from being there. It was a midweek game too.
 
Mallard, yes while we are playing well and, of course fans are more likely to want to be there. If we weren’t playing well and towards the bottom of the league, then people may wouldn’t want to watch on TV anyway.

Doing well, then maybe the cameras would attract more in, either way, how many games are we talking about, it would probably only be a few.

Good debate and interesting to see others opinions and yes agree, would be interesting to see SC and TW viewpoints.

[Mallard]

Oldham was a one off special for Lynn.  We had been starved of seeing a League club at The Walks in a competitive game.   The old magic of Cup really came into play.

Was a Friday night game as I recall. 

[Blue_and_Gold]

Oldham was a cup game against football league competition.

These will be league games. I don't think that's comparing like for like.


I'm sure we can all remember how the Oldham game was promoted and advertised. The Club really went for it big time!

[John H]

Yes, it was a Friday. The floodlights were brought in specially for the cameras. I remember coming out onto the A17 a couple of miles from the Pullover roundabout and was amazes as to how bright the lights were from that faraway. The sky was aglow.