Thinking outside the squared circle
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By Aiden McLaughlin
So, Joseph Parker v Junior Fa is now confirmed for December 11th at Auckland’s Spark Arena.
If you can’t make it in person then you can watch the fight and supporting card on Spark Sport, either live or on demand for between 24-72 hours (according to Spark Sport’s website) for $39.99.
How about this for an idea though. After the on demand period has passed, TVNZ show the fight. Not the supporting card, just a replay of Parker v Fa. Why would Spark agree to that you may ask? Well, if you really want to watch the fight you’ll buy it, go to a pub/club that’s showing it, or you’ll get together with some mates and all chip in towards the cost. But what if you’re someone who’s a bit tempted, perhaps a casual boxing fan, but don’t want to go down those routes this time as you’re not sure if you’ll enjoy it…
Imagine if those people could watch the fight on TVNZ at 11.00pm on say, the following Wednesday night, or record it then? For free? Imagine if it’s a cracking fight? Imagine if it’s such a great fight that those viewers think to themselves ‘I’ll buy the next one so I can watch it live’ or suggest the same to their mates, or go somewhere to have a few drinks next time. Spark are the ultimate winners of that aren’t they?
It’s a balancing act. Spark won’t want to devalue the product and have people wait for the freebie, but for me, think glass half full and the opportunity to play the long game. They don’t even have to let TVNZ put it in their confirmed schedules until the on demand period finishes. Then TVNZ can do some promos to get people on board.
Perhaps I’m looking at things a bit too simplistically but I think there’s some weight in this idea. There’s so little sport on free to air these days and I understand why that is, but maybe the carrot can be dangled this time around so everyone can see that fight. The more eyes the better, surely.
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