Change in subscription offerings

20 November 2009 (14:20)

RugbyZone wishes to inform our subscribers that we no longer offer annual subscriptions.

In future passes will available on a per-tournament or per-season basis. Day passes remain unchanged.

Available tournaments as well as the costs will be communicated in due course.

Comments

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by Corey Russell November 20, 2009 13:41 GMT

wow you guys really are being dumb now !!

by Corey Russell November 20, 2009 13:41 GMT

I hope this costs me less as well !!

by dangerdave November 20, 2009 14:46 GMT

Wow. Just because a few losers get on here and bash the site, because of the November test issue. You pull the plug. Sad. RZ is a good site. I think it's a mistake.

by Stan Daneman November 20, 2009 15:06 GMT

this is a mistake - you should reconsider your pricing structure now

by MARK SUND November 20, 2009 15:08 GMT

This is disappointing at best.

by Juanita van Zyl November 20, 2009 15:13 GMT

This is crazy. It is good that there are options for the people living in the USA. Setanta sport is $15 pm, and you get all games. O yes, you don’t have to watch the games online anymore. Sorry for the guys that does not have other options.

by Trainer November 20, 2009 15:19 GMT

At least give the members the choice of what subscription they want - unconditionally!

by Uninvisible November 20, 2009 15:55 GMT

It will be interesting to see what exactly they plan on doing, i'll certainly wait before passing judgment on this....... I just hope RugbyZone gives us subscribers more info than the three sentences in this notice.

by Nils theLatvian November 20, 2009 15:59 GMT

Uncle Rupert worrying about his already huge pocket?

by Alexander Gåsström November 20, 2009 16:49 GMT

this sux...

by Karin Hamberg November 20, 2009 17:37 GMT

Why get rid of the most convenient option? And if it ends up costing too much for the broadcast rights (for the november tests next year) - just tell us about it in advance and i'm sure the most of us would donate towards the cause. Keep us in the loop so that we all can benefit!

by Charles Smith November 20, 2009 19:13 GMT

Just anonying this is.

by Jurian van Maanen November 20, 2009 19:15 GMT

To be honest I'm fine with this. As long as buying the existing package (meaning all current seasons) will not become more expensive.

by Rick Laird November 20, 2009 19:21 GMT

I love the coverage provided but this change in approach is not good. I remember with the World cup there was an extra fee for that but to have to decide for each and every tournament. I think I would end up only spending a fraction of the yearly subscription. I hope this is not a done deal.

by adriaan van der merwe November 20, 2009 19:24 GMT

Listen Im anyway not renewing my subscription as I dont seem to be able to get any live games on the overseas tour nor any Northern Hemisphere games. Cheers Mickey Mouse Operation!

by Pieter Joubert November 20, 2009 22:02 GMT

What will happen to the subscribers who have existing anual passes, will this still be valid or cancelled?

by Mark McCann November 20, 2009 23:58 GMT

Crikey, this is going downhill fast... I have been a subscriber since the kuduclub days and generally been content. However, since the switch there has been a definite lack of consistency, communication to the subscribers is aweful, and I can only imagine this change is for another price hike. I guess we will wait and see. Anyone know how to watch SA vs Italy in Canada? Setanta is not broadcasting it at all.

by Albert van Eeden November 21, 2009 00:01 GMT

Hello Setanta.................goodbye RZ. Perhaps it will be a good idea in future to check with your CUSTOMERS first before making such unilateral decisions.

by ron simmonds November 21, 2009 00:45 GMT

I think most of the TWITS who have been BITCHING have done so without ever reading & understanding what they were getting - Close to 300 games for $100. IN general what we got this year as in the past what was promised - Now look where we are. Setanta/TSN in Canada is a farce - no different to FSW. They don't announce games until 48 hrs before - SOCCER FOOKIN' RULES AGAIN. After FSW faded into the sunset I joined MediaZone & put up with lotsa buffering etc & glooooed to my computer screen - Very clearly from the outset MediaZone provided games from the southern hemisphere - in other words games that we "colonials" wanted to see - I also know that many US & Cdns have enjoyed these games. Last couple of years we were spoilt when mediazone/rugbyzone threw in the fall tours for free. I assume word got out & some clowns, twats, twits & twots from the home unions took up subscriptions & now with their Venom & Nastiness have screwed it for all of us fun-loving mild mannered chasps from south of the equator. Shame on you lot & I sincerely hope that the ABs whack England into oblivion this weekend. What I've seen so far of the Fall Tour the games have been so so. Heinken Cup etc is damn boring.

by Mark Kottke November 21, 2009 05:04 GMT

yawn... doesn't really matter what we want.

by Jennie November 21, 2009 10:10 GMT

Yup bring on Setanta...

by Debbie Tullo November 21, 2009 12:18 GMT

Have you looked at Setanta lately?? I just cancelled. They are showing almost no rugby. And the pay per views are not included in the annual subscription any longer. So what internationals they show you have to pay extra for! Rugby Zone is still far, far, far superior.

by Alastair Stewart November 21, 2009 13:08 GMT

I'm very disappointed. At the very least, an annual subscription should be an option. I suspect quite a number of subscribers are going to walk, mysefl included.

by Matthew Seibert November 21, 2009 13:26 GMT

How ridiculous can you get, paying each time you want to watch a match! Or for each tournament which for me is Tri Nations, Air NZ Cup and used to be the fall tour. I hope this change means that we can actually see the fall tours and some NH matches. MZ needs to better explain the reasoning behind changing the subscription process.

by Jacques Albertyn November 21, 2009 13:28 GMT

Very dissapointing. I loved this site. Looks like I will have to go somewhere else, only going down from here.

by alan van niekerk November 21, 2009 14:17 GMT

My only problem is the november internationals aren't even for sale.so even if we want to we are slighly screwed

by ron simmonds November 21, 2009 15:06 GMT

For you people who keep going on about Setanta really have no idea - there is very limited rugby coverage period as some of you now are finding out. RZ is still for me & I support it 100%. Ive been coughing up $15 per month since RWC '07 & its not been worth it.. That said I guess I will get a little of my money's worth this month. Just posted on Setanta: ABs & Poms at 2pm PST Sunday followed by Fiji & Paddys. At 6.30pm PST is Argentine & The Taffys. Hopefully the ABs & Frogs next Sunday. Note this is Setanta Canada - in the USA I'm not sure.

by Pieter van der merwe November 21, 2009 15:10 GMT

So the money I payd to see the rugby is down the drain. Now I have to pay per tournament. At least let us finish the 12 months the way we payd for it

by ron simmonds November 21, 2009 15:28 GMT

Game is live on Radio Sport N.Z. right NOW. 6-6 at halftime

by ron simmonds November 21, 2009 16:14 GMT

19 - 6 for N.Z.

by ron simmonds November 28, 2009 04:05 GMT

All Blacks V France live on TV5 Saturday, November 28 at noon PST. TV5 often broadcasts international rugby from France. TV5 is a part of the digital package offered by your cable company. In Canada for sure & in the US ??????? Enjoy

by nathaniel chapman December 28, 2009 03:52 GMT

wow..... I was deciding between Setanta and Rugby Zone. I was reffered by a friend here,he said he used it a while ago and loved it. But I cant afford to dish our for one day flippin passes. Id go broke in an instant! Oh well, Setanta here I come

by AmeriTAH December 28, 2009 06:35 GMT

As a Wallaby fan in the U.S., Rugby Zone lost a lot of its value in 2009 when they dropped the Aussie rugby shows. Now if they expect me to pay even more for even less in 2010, I'm gone.

by David Pereira December 28, 2009 09:47 GMT

Well I'm dissapopinted too. I was planning on giving away an annual subsciption to a mate for Christmas. I guess he'll just get a belated rugby jersey now!

by Yuval Diga December 28, 2009 20:29 GMT

I have supported this service for years now and have to say I am dumbfounded at this approach. Do you not understand that there are other options to watch rugby online and that we have supported this service because we love rugby and want to support a viable online service? I paid for this even when I couldn't afford it and I have kids. I will be hardpressed to support it any longer if it goes to a tournament basis, simple as that. Talking in the parlance of the game that a lot of your subscribers will now be watching ; own goal.

by Geoff Gould December 28, 2009 23:30 GMT

See you later...

by Debbie Tullo December 29, 2009 01:41 GMT

What other options? I've looked! All I have found is Setanta and I hated it. I would love to find some other options.

by andrea brittany December 29, 2009 18:21 GMT

hey guys i subscribe to rugby zone but whenever there is a game i cannot see. ie. November tests. I tell you, that you will not regret it. It is called livetv4ever.com I have no idea how they do it, but it is only $5 a month it even has the cricket and all other supersport channels. the site is clearly from asia as their is some things that is asian like the nfl commentary. It really works great, Only thing is that the games are live with only a short amount of archiving. Maybe these guys will force supersport to run a more consumer orientated service. Let me know how it went

by andrea brittany December 29, 2009 18:22 GMT

livetv4ever.com

by andrea brittany December 29, 2009 20:28 GMT

good luck!

by Morkel December 30, 2009 12:14 GMT

Put this to a vote to those loyal members, whom had been around since this site started (if they are still out there), and you will get a real response of the die-hard, previously disadvantaged supporters, who will do anything to get REAL LIVE RUGBY, but not try and minimize the support you had thus far to make this site so successful by introducing this one-sided, uni-lateral type of decisions. Surely SUPERSPORT can do better than this..............!!! and announce the subscriptions rules and costs NOW, if you do not want a total migation to other sites!!!!!!

by Pdivvy December 30, 2009 13:11 GMT

I just looked at livetv4ever. Paid for a month. Streaming seems ok. Watched my Proteas get a caning by England on Supersport and was not all that bad(streaming that is not the cricket!!!). Lets see if it is consistent. Rugbyzone has a good product and has been a saviour as an expat in Asia . Pity they seem to be complicating issues. Rugbyzone....Dont change ...Stay as you are !

by Jim Bonner December 30, 2009 15:45 GMT

I am deeply deeply disappointed with this change. I signed on to this site with the promise of an fixed annual fee. Now you've gone and changed the structure. What a shame.

by cw barnett December 30, 2009 18:46 GMT

If this ensures that RugbyZone customers will be able to view all the international competitions, such as the Six Nations and November tests, as well as the Tri-Nations, etc., then I welcome this change! I expect to pay for a good product; having access to all the various competitions would be an improvement of an already good service. I hope not to be disappointed. Thanks. CW Barnett Kensington, Connecticut USA

by Jan K. Nansel December 31, 2009 00:21 GMT

I agree with the majority of the present subscribers. I have paid my money, with the promise that I will see ALL the rugby action. First, you set geographic limitations for the Heineken Cup, now you expect to have people pony up $$$$ on a per match or tournament basis? Rethink this. If it is a money issue, meaning you think you are not making enough, you are truly sorry folks. If it is a service issue, meaning you cannot render this service for the money you ask, a small increase would be acceptable. All in all, I am disappointed, as I am sure you have a large following and now you let ALL these subscribers down. Shame on you, as for me, I will find my rugby fix elsewhere.

by Franco Leng December 31, 2009 10:21 GMT

i like turtles

by Niels Thornberg December 31, 2009 15:46 GMT

Well if I can get the super14, Tri nations, AB tests and the NZCup for 100$ which Im paying now, then I´ll be content. Im keen to see their new pricing. Btw. Didnt they have a tournament pricing back in 2008?

by IRVIN MODLIN MD December 31, 2009 19:23 GMT

Arbitrary, capricious,mono dimensional and self serving are the gist of the thoughts that come to mind in response to this unilateral provision of "fee without service" declaration. I would judge that a class action suit for misrepresentation and fraud would succeed. Payment made, services then altered ,no refund provided = fraud. A game for gentlemen marketed by hooligans might be more the cynical twist to the old adage.........

by Tony Mazzarella January 4, 2010 01:29 GMT

This is garbage; I hope you guys don't mind losing huge amounts of money.

by Johan Bruwer January 4, 2010 13:31 GMT

Are you serious????? Now, hopefully not the case!, you will be overcharging your loyal customers for a good service. I wonder whether this will allow for the viewing of the 6 Nations as well now because I am currently in the Caribbean and was only allowed to watch certain matches due to geographical constraints (which I think is BULL). I was HAPPY to pay my $100 and then watch the Southern Hemisphere games. I would have been happy to pay a little bit more this year to have the same coverage. Now we will have to wait and see whether I will move my rugby viewing to another source or not!

by Sean_98 January 4, 2010 17:14 GMT

It is no longer about rugby. It is about ripping off those who support and love a game and black-mailing them. I hope there are other competitors who would like to take our money and support us who cannot afford 100's of dollars to watch a sport that was not built on ripping people off but comradary. Thansk RUGBYZONE for nothing!

by Sammy Getty January 5, 2010 02:41 GMT

Here is the problem with livetv4ever Their "System Requirements to Watch Live Sports" Windows XP or Vista , Windows Media Player 9.0 or above Intel Pentium 4 or above 512MB of RAM Only Microsoft IE version 6.0 and above ,No other Browser Supported Broadband Internet access with Min 1.5 Mbps for enhance your viewing experience" Having to buy Windows just to watch rugby is worse then RZ's proposed new payment scam. I'll do without. LiveTV's feeds and coverage is not that good to shell out good money for a shite operating system.like windows. I've watch quite a bit of the rugby on offer @ the livetv site (the free side), in fact I am watching a Hockey game as I type this (on linux via mplayer & it's of excellent quality). Some of the rugby coverage has been great some has been crappy. Some matches have not been in English, most have. Sometime the feeds start on time other times not so much. Compared to Setanta, livetv (the free offering) is better, compared to RugbyZone, livetv is worse. What RugbyZone has that the others do not is their Archive, as long as they keep it, they will still offer a better product (as long as they also still support Mac & linux {unofficially} as well, imo). That is really the feature that should be of most concern to the posters here. Stop bitching here, and send an e-mail, preferably with constructive suggestions. Cheers Sammy Gettty Second City Troop, RFC Bryn Mawr, Pa, USA

by CATO BADENHORST January 5, 2010 03:49 GMT

Comment deleted

by Durban Poison January 5, 2010 12:08 GMT

Not necessarily a bad thing, as long as the total price, if one wanted to watch all tournaments available within a year, is not more than the price of a yearly subscription. I personally never watched any Heineken Cup or Air NZ Cup matches, and can image that lots of Australasian subscribers don't bother with our Currie Cup games.

by Alfred Thomas January 5, 2010 21:49 GMT

I agree with Durban Poison, If I get discount for not watching the Air NZ cup or the Heineken and other Raptors v Queen City cr@p, then its a worthy cause. I think most people have very negative comments because of Rugbyzone lies about showing all rugby and then not showing the Autumn tours. Lets hope and see if Rugbyzone prove these people wrong, or right and force us to start using other sources, which there are, and what I was forced to do for the autumn tours. Basically, I am one of Rugbyzones biggest supporters and led a lot of people to this site. If they screw me now, I WILL get my own back.

by Tony Winterbottom January 5, 2010 22:28 GMT

I would like to know, will my subscription that I renewed in November 2009, run through November 2010 or will RZ prorate my refund?

by jesse ramsay January 6, 2010 06:14 GMT

i don't know if a lot of people from oz and nz use rugbyzone as their local games (i.e air new zealand cup) are broadcast on telly. i think that most of the subscribers are outside of the broadcast areas (such as me up here in canada where it ain't on telly even when our national team plays. if we can get more of the internationals with this new structure then great if we still have a limited amount of northern games then thats just a blatant money grab. not that i am completely aghast; we have to remember that the people who run this site are doing it for profit. now i'm not going to give them money just because i apppeciate their moxie but it shouldn't be held against them either. one of the things that annoys me is that this rate change was posted in november when most of the rugby is over. they have my email, i assume they have everybodies, they should have emailed the notice about the rate change and not just left it as they did.

by AllanR January 6, 2010 18:15 GMT

I agree that communication is not the Rugby Zones' strong suit. I live in the USA and have been a subscriber since 2006. My interest is S-14, the June tour and Tri-Nations. I am not interested in the SA and NZ provincial matches. I would love to see northern hemisphere matches, but they are not available in the U.S. The current prices are quite reasonable, even if I had to pay extra for the World Cup. I will withhold judgment until I see the new pricing structure. I just hope the cost for S-14, June Tour and Tri-Nations will be less or equal to what I already pay, otherwise I will have to reconsider my subscription. It would be nice if RZ offered the November Tour to U.S. subscribers. If the pricing change means I will have the opportunity to subscribe to northern hemisphere matches, then this would be an improvement. I will just have to wait and see. While Setanta is an option, it is not available to me when I travel in my RV. I hope that RZ will keep subscriptions affordable for pensioners.

by jesse ramsay January 6, 2010 22:59 GMT

Allan Rabune, as i said i live in canada so we're not that far away. as a result of the changes at rugby zone i went to setanta online and there i found that they have an online broadcast as well. they were offering the fall internationals but i did not buy them because funds were tight so i can't comment on the quality. but just so you know there is another site that may offer you something.

by Sammy Getty January 6, 2010 23:53 GMT

@ jesse ramsay - iirc, setanta online (for the US) offered their coverage at the same time as their TV service. Which was why I went w/ setanta TV, easier to record. Regardless, non of the matches were shown live, nor were they showed in order, which is setanta's modus operandi nor were all of them shown, and of course there was at least one match that turned out to be a girlie man soccer match. Cheers Sammy Getty Second City Troop RFC. Bryn Mawr, Pa USA

by Warren Stanley_67 January 7, 2010 01:26 GMT

I live in a part of the world where they don't even know how to spell the word rugby. RZ is my only outlet. I hope you guys are not going to take advantage of your loyal customers. Why are you making life difficult for us? What's wrong with an annual fee? Your notice did not even explain the reasons why?

by luis pinon January 7, 2010 03:45 GMT

Rugby Zone has provided me the fix that I've needed eversince I visited Sydney back in the summer of 07. Changing the pricing can only mean a higher cost for the consumer. Be careful. In these days and time your more likely to generate less revenue and do a greater disservice to rugby.

by paul mathews January 7, 2010 07:03 GMT

I have to say rugbyzone has changed my life.Being overseas a long time i missed alot of super 14 and npc.I live in sweden and getting up in the morning to a game from back home with a nice cuppa has been incredible.Watchin my beloved crusaders week in week out ...well you know.I think it should stay the same or at least have packet price like ... a nz packet which includes all, all black games and comps ie tri nations, super 14 and npc. The same for the saffas they get the curry cup instead of npc.The best would be to keep it the same.Hoping on hearing something soon. Paul Mathews

by Mark Brown January 11, 2010 00:49 GMT

I'a sad. As a coach who wants his girls teams to play exciting expansive rugby I have relied on watching RugbyZone and forerunners. I hope that the cost will not go sky high. I need to watch the best teams to be able to break it down so I can teach a local team how to play the game.

by JOHN ANGSMAN January 12, 2010 01:49 GMT

This does not seem to be a very good option. There really is no Rugby on internet, cable or satlite that offers the options for viewing rugby as media zone. Would I pay more for a yearly subscription? Likely, my first year was $129 vs $99. I really don't want to go to monthly or by "tournament" payment options.

by Jon Howard January 12, 2010 09:40 GMT

This is lame! I would rather pay more yearly then have to bother with the hassle of per tournament.

by Steve Straw January 12, 2010 16:16 GMT

I dont really care how you want to bill me, just give me ALL the games I want to watch and make sure I CAN watch them. I WILL PAY!! My 100 bucks was a complete loss last season. Most games couldn't stream on our 30mbps line. Sure wasn't our end that slooooooooooowed it down! To be clear. I like my rugby. I need my rugby. Either you provide it or you don't. But if you provide it, make sure you do. Because a Sling Box isn't far off the price charged here, and at least it is consistent. Good luck. Enjoy the season.

by Steve Straw January 12, 2010 16:16 GMT

by Justin Estes January 12, 2010 21:25 GMT

As long as you're delivering expansive content, value and a comparable cost to the annual subscriptions, I find no issue. However, piece-mealing can get expensive for the customer. I think RZ should still offer annual subscriptions, in addition to, per season and daily passes.

by AB 40 January 13, 2010 03:27 GMT

Surely there are going to be discounted options - say the more tournaments that are purchased in a calendar year / season, the less per tournament? What about country packages - say NZ package of AirNZ cup, tri-nations, super 14, and All Black year end tours? Or team packages - say All Black games only, or Chiefs games only? Or full Chiefs games, plus highlights-only from other super 14 games? There are many potentially good ways RZ could do this....

by ruan tredoux January 13, 2010 19:16 GMT

grrrrrrrrrrrr

by ruan tredoux January 13, 2010 19:17 GMT

lets go and check out livetv4ever RIGHT NOW. kyk rugby vanaf kanada maar hopelik weer gou terug in kaapstad ;)

by Arthur Bezuidenhout January 15, 2010 18:38 GMT

When will we know what exactly will happen?

by Justin Parkinson January 15, 2010 21:43 GMT

Are you kidding me? I've been subscribing here for years. I love the flexibility I pay for, and I'm pleased to say that your site and service have got better over the years. Why oh why are you reducing your customers choices? Do you need to increase prices? The put up that option so we can choose to take the annual subscription if we want. I know I pay for everything and don't watch the SA domestic season,or any of the European (though I might in these lean months if it wasn't locked out!!) so don't tell me this is somehow going to make you more money. Increase your range of choices, and your range of covered events and you're going to grow - don't hurt and loose your customers just as you are making a world class service!

by Andries Linde January 18, 2010 01:53 GMT

So show us the packages so we can start doing a budget,we have mouths to feed and wives to cheat.

by Franco Leng January 18, 2010 04:48 GMT

i like turtles

by Peter Kelly January 18, 2010 17:09 GMT

Surely this is a bad decision Why would you give a terse notice that subscriptions are changing and then no further news for two months Your customers need to be treated better than this I renewed until Aug 2010 will a pro rated fee be credited to me? Let's have some news soon.

by Fred Twilley January 18, 2010 18:33 GMT

I will reserve judgment on pricing until I see these "per-tournament or per-season" packages. We are less than a month out from the start of S14. Where is the subscription info???

by Garrin January 18, 2010 20:15 GMT

less then a month to go till super 14 and no pricing info. Come on man,

by riaan steenkamp_86 January 18, 2010 20:27 GMT

Hi RZ some info on this years rugby please.

by Wouter van der Merwe January 19, 2010 04:52 GMT

There you have it! $9.99 for a day pass! No thanks!

by Wouter van der Merwe January 19, 2010 04:53 GMT

$9.99 for a day pass! No thanks!

by Garrin January 19, 2010 08:27 GMT

$9.99 a day WTF are they nuts, any alternatives out there? Daylight robbery.

by Bob Jones_43 January 19, 2010 09:43 GMT

Yip, $9.99 a day. I am out. Never again at these prices. I love my rugby, but this is rediculous. Surely with the loss in business there will have to be a deal done sometime during the year. The service has been fantastic, but if you don't give us the options of all games (and I mean ALL games) who in their right mind is going to pay $9.99 a day? If I want to watch the Super 14 for example, there are 13 rounds, plus semis and finals. That works out at $150! Are you guys sure about this? Or will you bring out a new subscription? Something needs to happen, and do it fast. There is only 3 weeks till the Super 14 begins.

by Niels Thornberg January 19, 2010 16:01 GMT

Where did you find those details, because I cant find them anywhere? I cant even see an official news post.

by William Lapierre January 19, 2010 16:09 GMT

It's in the FAQ. So far I haven't seen any more info. There has to be something coming down the pipe. They can't really expect to keep this afloat on nothing but 10 dollar daily passes, can they?

by Peter Kelly January 19, 2010 17:16 GMT

This should be a business school case on the wrong way to make changes to your customer offerings. They seem to have forgotten the importance of customer loyalty

by tom January 19, 2010 17:57 GMT

Nothing spoils success like success. I have just let my subscription renew year in and year out. I go in and watch the matches live or on demand and everything works. Always said I am glad that they don't do things like Setanta. I would love to hear the thought process of the brains trust on this one. If you gough me I will bail. You had it right. You just needed to keep marketing. Now you will scramble to deal with all of the complaints and see a huge dip in revenue. I guess just taking my $ at the renewal point each year is less attractive to getting 100% of the $0 I give you going forward. What a shame. I recommended your site to 100's of people over the years. Now I curse you.

by Gary Thompson January 19, 2010 18:00 GMT

9.99 per day if you used to watch S14 (29 days of rugby), tri-nations (9 days) and one of Currie cup/NPC thats about a -500% increase in fees. guess I'm not watching my rugby on rugbyzone shame seeing I've been a member since 2004 (or around then)

by Gary Thompson January 19, 2010 18:04 GMT

guys according to the above it says day passes unchanged season and tournament passes still being offered. The 10 dollar a day is for the casual rugby viewer. Wait till they set the season pricing before going off the wall.

by Scrummer99 January 20, 2010 07:30 GMT

what happened to the archive? Probably the same two years ago; rugbyzone screws up totally. DO NOT CHARGE MY CARD W/O MY PERMISSION. SINCE YOU REFUSED TO DELETE THEM AND LIE ABOUT THE DELETE TAB IN THE PROFILE SECTION.

by Niels Thornberg January 20, 2010 09:48 GMT

I agree with Gary on this. I dont believe this is the future pricing for Rugbyzone. Atleast I hope it is not. I also think the 10 dollar a day is for the casual viewer. Its quite often a normal way of business to set your one day pass quite high, so your customers will end up picking a full year. That way you get more revenue. Also there has been no offcial announcement yet, so I think we all just have to be patient and I think the prices will be respectable in the end. That said - if it ends up being a 10 dollar a day solution, then Im out - simply cant afford this :/ Cheers

by Justin Parkinson January 20, 2010 21:25 GMT

Day passes have always been expensive. The news says that they are canning the annual subs, but continuing to offer tournament options - there is no reason to expect them to be anywhere near $10 a day. One one hand I appreciate not paying for the SA domestic season, and the Six Nations and Heineken Cup that I don't watch anyway. On the other hand I wish I had the flexibility to watch them if I wanted. I DO want to be able to watch the June tours though. Overall this may not be a bad thing, and I for one certainly don't mind paying a little more than I currently pay. I still think removing a complete pass is a poor business decision though.

by Sammy Getty January 21, 2010 00:30 GMT

A full day pass @ $9.00 sounds 'bout right for the old pricing. I paid $4.99 for one (1) Super 12 Match back in 2005, that was before they switched to the full day passes. Cheers Sammy Getty Second City Troop RFC Bryn Mawr Pa USA

by William Botha January 21, 2010 01:48 GMT

Just got on to this... wow.. what a clusterfork. Let me see if I got this right... I came to RZ because Setanta sucks and I really don't want to buy a HUGE dish and pay DIRECTV tons of moolah to get Sky or one of the big networks... now I am going to have to pay (probably) MORE money with less ease of access - and still not get the November games in 2010? I really enjoyed the stadium chatroom on the live games. Does anyone really think it's going to work out cheaper for us regulars? Really? They would be losing a ton of money on annual passes - they get the money ahead of time and can leverage the income to create additional revenue ... what are they gpoing to do now? See how much money they have left in the coffers before they decide to buy the rights? Bulls&!^. And what about the Fantasy Rugby program? Gonna have to pay 9.99 for that too? Hmmm methinks there's a smell attached to this. Looks like I'm going to have to risk life and limb to erect a dish on my roof visible from space. It'll be cheaper. W

by Garrin January 21, 2010 09:44 GMT

I cant believe RUGBYZONE havent come back to us with any information other then this post on the 20th Nov. FFS any information would be great or am I going to have to buy a day pass for some information on what going to happen. Customer service Zero

by Johan Bruwer January 21, 2010 14:58 GMT

I must agree with Garrin. I feel the same way in regards with customer service. It is like we are their dogs and they do with us like they feel. We are supposed to be the "king" if you follow the rule of customer service, The "King" is not always right, but hell, then tell him so! This was also an issue last year where the service charge was only announced a few days before the S14 started. Come on guys, lift your game. You have had enough time to decide how you want to break the news this year. Just do it now and get it over. Then you can see if you have loyal customers, angry customers, any new customers, and the number of customers that has left due to your service delivery standards (during the year where you decided that only 1 stream strength is good enough, and now with this!) Just another question. As a Afrikaans speaking rugby supporter, why can RZ not provide us with the Afrikaans stream on the local matches???? This is the Supersport stream right?

by Guy Robert January 21, 2010 15:02 GMT

For those of us interested in just one or two offerings this is not necessarily a bad thing. It will certainly be cheaper than a full year's subscription (roll eyes). Those interested in "everything" will undoubtedly have to cough up more, which is not nice. What is insane is that we are still discussing a notice from RZ posted on Nov. 20. We have no new information and Super 14 starts in three weeks. Not very good, RZ----and that's being kind about it.

by Michael Pretorius January 21, 2010 15:41 GMT

Please let us know what it will cost,. the new season is around the corner but we dont know what to expect. PLEASE RUGBYZONE tell us. I have no other option than you. I am South African but living in Germany.

by James Swindells January 21, 2010 20:21 GMT

Email sent today.... Somehow I doubt I will ever see a reply!!!!! After reading the new subscriptions brief posted on your site, I would like answers to the following questions. 1. I have an annual subscription paid up until May this year, will I be re-imbursed for the service not used on a proportional basis? 2. If not how do you propose to refund the prepaid funds, paid in good faith, considering that the original contract has now been voided by rugbyzone? I seriously doubt that I will receive an answer to these questions based on my previous experience with this service. Waiting in anticipation,

by James Swindells January 21, 2010 20:22 GMT

After reading the new subscriptions brief posted on your site, I would like answers to the following questions. 1. I have an annual subscription paid up until May this year, will I be re-imbursed for the service not used on a proportional basis? 2. If not how do you propose to refund the prepaid funds, paid in good faith, considering that the original contract has now been voided by rugbyzone? I seriously doubt that I will receive an answer to these questions based on my previous experience with this service. Waiting in anticipation, Jimmy Swindells

by Warren Cash January 21, 2010 23:28 GMT

Very disappointing!!!! The convenience of an annual subscription was important. Is Rugby Zone emulating the airlines in trying to nickle and dime us to deat?

by Eugene ?? January 22, 2010 06:40 GMT

I'd say the only reason they're doing this is because they can't secure broadcasting rights for anything anymore. Their support desk told me they would email me confirmation this week as to whether they have the rights to broadcast the Super 14 yet. Its Thursday now and I have heard sweet F-ALL. Something tells me RZ won't be showing much more rugby in the future. Drips and drabs. None of the good stuff though. Why don't RZ sellout to Supersport and get it over with so that we can watch what we want.

by clayton feeke January 22, 2010 16:35 GMT

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you... You have been connected to Gabriel I. Gabriel I: Thank you for contacting Live Support. How may I assist you today? clayton feeke: I contacted one of your customer service reps at the beginning of the week to find out when information would be available of the subscription offered for this season. I was told that the information would be posted on the website later in this week. It is now friday and there has been no post. Gabriel I: We are working on it to update our site. But I will be able to give you the details. clayton feeke: Judging the chatter on the webpage by some customers if rugbyzone is going to make this change then they need to get the process going. clayton feeke: Could you let me know the details please Gabriel I: Sure. Gabriel I: This are the packages that we have : Gabriel I: Super 14 = $49 Currie Cup = $29 international tests (incl tri-nations) = $39 clayton feeke: okay now do the international tests include the end of year tour (aka the dreaded November tests) Gabriel I: We can not confirm the November test at this stage. clayton feeke: I have an annual subscription that is supposed to run until the end of the Super 14, what will happen to my annual subscription Gabriel I: You will be able to use it until it expire.

by Guy Robert January 22, 2010 17:30 GMT

Thanks Clayton, but it's outrageous that we had to get the information from you and not the site. I will gladly pay $49 for Super 14----if they will just let me!

by Wade Gillespie January 22, 2010 19:32 GMT

Thank you Clayton, i have been in a mild panic. If those are the prices, they are not bad, and I will gladly pay. They need to improve their communication pronto though.

by Sammy Getty January 23, 2010 00:51 GMT

I too have received price quotes, via e-mail from RugbyZone.com, that match what Clayton posts. "Day Pass $9.99, Super 14 = $49, International tests (incl tri-nations) = $39, and Currie cup = $29". The NPC does seem to be missing, but my guess is it will most likely cost close to the Currie Cup. As to the Fall Internationals, imo, I would not count on them. Any one who has been a long time subscriber will recall that the Fall Internationals were never a given. Some matches were offered, then half way through pulled. Some were offered as Live events only. Some of the time only part of a tour was covered. Back when Brownie & Pat were running the show, they would send out e-mails explaining things. As I remember it most of the issues were with the Broadcast rights from the home nations. Cheers Sammy Getty Second City Troop RFC Bryn Mawr Pa USA

by yardbirds63 January 23, 2010 18:03 GMT

Thanks for the info mates! As an annual subscriber who gets to and does watch all the tournaments except Heineken and Guinness matches because of my zone, adding up the 3 tournaments i,e,; S -14, Currie Cup and Tri-nations, this would be $18.00 more than my annual rate, when you add NPC and June Tours ( just estimating them to cost at least $29.00 ) this would be at least a $60.00 price raise. If I could watch the Heineken and Guinness ( I wish I could!! ), the price would have "doubled" the annual rate we were paying! Will it be worth the extra money???? Time will tell.

by Richard Poy January 25, 2010 00:01 GMT

As a rugby fan who has just come across this website and a potential customer looking to spend some cash to view the upcoming 2010 season, I have been reading all the above comments and I think it is absolutely appalling communication by RZ. Not one response to the 2 months of posts. Is the editor or webmaster aware of this comments page? Why don't they do something about it? If there's a delay or problem, just tell us! I think you've just lost me as a potential customer, probably others as well who are shopping for online coverage at this time of year. If this is the way to treat your customers then why should I join? Oh, I see you've quoted some rates now. So why can't I join? I still only get the day pass option.

by Eugene ?? January 25, 2010 01:38 GMT

:) I can get DSTV in China, So heres a big "stick a flag pole up your stink hole to RZ. Laters jokers!!! hope you sink and burn in hell!

by Guy Robert January 25, 2010 01:48 GMT

Are you there, RZ? Do you care at all about comments like those of Richard P. above? Unfortunately, your lack of communication on vital issues reminds me of the dieing days of ITVN, to which I also subscribed. Not a good sign.

by Barry Hatfield January 25, 2010 02:16 GMT

Wow, you really know how to alienate yr. subscribers. 100% negative feedback. Revenue Max, eh? I hope it results in Revenue Min and yr. biz consultant is the only winner.

by Kobus De Jager January 25, 2010 02:50 GMT

i wonder how you guys make these decisions, not trying to be malicious, really want to know?. I take it that there was some research done, etc. this is a big change and is one that is taken where a company either have a monopoly, or is really offering something substantially better. (Lets hope its the later for the sake of rugby supporters). This can be very short sighted or a stroke of genius, but the real strategy is nullify by a real lack of communication and i think that i will shake things up in that department if RZ was my company and have any real loyalty to their customers

by Anton du Preez January 25, 2010 15:49 GMT

Received no notification of pricing from RZ. For me this will mean an increase of 17 dollars. Not to much but still.

by Bennie Rheeder January 25, 2010 16:11 GMT

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you... You have been connected to Gabriel I. Gabriel I: Thank you for contacting Live Support. How may I assist you today? Bennie Rheeder: Hi Gabriel. When are you going to release your pricing for 2010? Gabriel I: Our management team are working on it to post the price details on our website. Bennie Rheeder: When?? Gabriel I: As soon as possible, but I will give you the price structure. Bennie Rheeder: You said it will be up last week. The Super 14 starts in 2 weeks. Bennie Rheeder: Please can you giveme the price structure. And when will i be able to sighn up for the tournaments i want? Gabriel I: Super 14 = $49 Currie Cup = $29 international tests (incl tri-nations) = $39 Bennie Rheeder: How much will the Air New Zeeland Cup be? Gabriel I: I am sorry to say but we do not have broadcasting rights for Air New Zeeland. Bennie Rheeder: When will i be able to sighn up for the other tournaments then? Gabriel I: The price will be posted on our website very soon. Gabriel I: So that you will be able to subscribe them. Bennie Rheeder: That is not what i asked. When will i be able to sighn up for the tournaments? Gabriel I: Once they have posted the price structure you will be able to signup and subscribe them. Bennie Rheeder: Why is there no communication on your website about this? Gabriel I: I don't have information about this. Gabriel I: Our Content Management team are working on it to bring things up and running. Bennie Rheeder: Thenk you. Gabriel I: You're welcome. Gabriel I: Is there anything else I may assist you with today? Bennie Rheeder: No. Thanks.

by Petri Kujansuu January 25, 2010 16:57 GMT

Well, my money goes to rugby league... 117 for hole year, no Air New Zealand Cup, no Heineken Cup?

by yardbirds63 January 25, 2010 19:27 GMT

Does anyone subscribe to " Setanta - i "? If so how is it? I just looked at it and it sounds very good. For 14.99 a month ( 179.88 yr ). And living in the US it appears you can watch Heineken Cup & Guinness Cup, which you cannot with RZ. And if its true from the above response " I am sorry to say but we do not have broadcasting rights for Air New Zealand". it sounds like we will not get this on RZ anymore! And that not good, cause it is one of my favorite tournaments. On Setanta you get it. So once I get a reply back from Setanta - i, it looks like I will be abandoning this (RZ) sinking ship and go over to Setanta - i, where for about the same price as the new RZ rates I will get a lot more for my money.

by Guy Robert January 25, 2010 19:41 GMT

I have Setanta-i and the service is great. Unfortunately, Setanta US is going dark as of Feb. 28. I'm assuming Setanta-i is going under with it, but there has been no official word about it in particular. However, I note that yearly subscriptions (which I have) are no longer available, so I'd say that's a sign that after Feb. 28 Setanta-i will no longer exist.

by Guy Robert January 25, 2010 21:44 GMT

Michael, I just checked with Setanta-i and they said they expect to still be running after Feb. 28. That would mean that while their EPL content may be gone, their rugby content would still be available.

by yardbirds63 January 25, 2010 22:55 GMT

Thanks for the info Guy...appreciate it!! The rugby is all I am interested in, especially since RZ appears to not be showing Air New Zealand Cup.....pity. I just emailed Setanta - i and have asked them if they will be showing it.

by Keith Loesch January 26, 2010 01:52 GMT

Michael. please post if you get any info from Setanta-i regarding the Air New Zealand Cup. I am just wondering if Rugbyzone does not have the broadband rights and Setanta-i doesn't (or if they too are ceasing operations after 2/28), who else is out there that offers rugby via broadband that may have these rights (if anyone dos have the rights)? I have contacted Setanta-i regarding Six Nations broadcasts to see if they are still offering them on a per match basis (or as part of the package for annual subscribers) and am awaiting a response. As they kick-off 2/13 that is still two weeks of matches they would be able to offer if they were going dark on 2/28.

by Guy Robert January 26, 2010 02:31 GMT

Tideman--(caught you!) see my post on the other thread. BBC America is showing 6 Nations live, one match per week, starting with Wales v England, Feb. 6. BTW, no more annual subscriptions for Setanta-i.

by jesse ramsay January 26, 2010 03:16 GMT

Rz, in their new price structure offer the currie cup, international tests (including tri nations) and super 14 (now s15 ain't it?) so other than the reduced content and the fact that when they say international tests (including tri nations) they mean that 80% of their international games will, in fact, be the tri nations. my question, forgetting the above is why the f8ck do they still have a day pass? who is going to buy a day pass when all they show is tournaments? and as to why they are so f8cked up. my guess is that as they are based in sa they carry only rugby that interests those in sa. (why they don't have an afrikaans broadcast is beyond me) Also in the above comments two people published transcripts of calls they had made to rz customer service. and on two seperate days calls from two diferent people were answered by the same guy (gabriel) this leads me to beleive that they do not have a large staff (my guess is five or six max) so they have likely downsized or were unprepared for the international response they got to their website. still its a shame that a good thing had to head south. i would have paid more for what i recieved with my old yearly subscription but i guess i gotta take my dollars elsewhere. to all of you who took the time to post what info you had concerning what was happening at rz i lift my pint to ya! that is just another example of why rugby is truly a gentleman's game; for gentlemen.

by Kobus De Jager January 26, 2010 04:06 GMT

Setanta - Canada is bad, delayed games, not showing all the games, not even showing the main games all the time.

by jesse ramsay January 26, 2010 08:22 GMT

Kobus, I too live in Canada and that is good to know. Has anyone tried creekrugby.com? they talk the talk but I don't know if they deliver.

by Keith Loesch January 26, 2010 15:05 GMT

Hey Oval, how are you? I actually saw the press release from BBC America about the six nations and almost fell out of my chair. I remember the days before Setanta-i showed the matches the only means to watch them was to go down to the local pub at 8:00 in the morning and pay $20 at the door. Between Rugbyzone and Setanta-i I thought I was all set for my rugby fix, but all this uncertainty and lack of communication with both is certainly troublesome.

by yardbirds63 January 26, 2010 19:54 GMT

Guy - Here is the reply I got from Setanta i concerning Air New Zealand Cup "Dear Michael, Many thanks for your email We do not have online broadcasting rights to show the Air New Zealand Cup. However, it may be available on our TV channel. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us." It doesn't sound good!! Air New Zealand Cup is one of my favorites 2nd to S -14, I will be very upset not being able to enjoy watching it. I wonder if the "Rugby Channel" offer streaming videos of its matches...I will look and see. Cheers! Kind regards,

by Guy Robert January 26, 2010 20:09 GMT

Thanks, Michael. Wouldn't it be nice if we, as consumers, could go to a central site to find out who had rights to what? HA! That'll be the day.

by Derek Willson January 28, 2010 20:10 GMT

Hi Guys I will keep RZ it has far more rugby during the november tour i activated setanta on my dish network at home for 3 weeks to get those games and it only cost maybe $12 since they charge per diem so that i thiink is the best way to go. Sure RZ communication sucks but they know they have us trapped since no one else offers what they offer... And say a great competitor opened up tomorrow would we all switch giving them the funding they need to get the online rights? probably not so we are in a really crappy situation right here...

by Sammy Getty March 19, 2010 02:45 GMT

I know that this is an old news story (as well as a contentious one) but I thought I would post a link to the RugbyZone Forums, http://www.rugbyzone.com/forum/Default.aspx , in hopes of directing some traffic there. Imo, the forum would be a better venue for the types of discussions that took place here. Cheers Sammy Getty Second City Troop RFC, Bryn Mawr Pa USA

by Rock Star March 19, 2010 14:40 GMT

This is just greedy

by Uninvisible March 19, 2010 16:43 GMT

Hey Sammy, thanks for the link. I never knew there was a RugbyZone forum, is this new? Is there a direct link from this website?

by Sammy Getty March 19, 2010 17:56 GMT

@ Uninvisible, it was announced when the new RugbyZone (the current one) was started back in Jan/Feb 09. I asked a few times then and was told it was in the works. As far as I can tell they never officially announced it. I asked again during the "New Packages" discussions and received the link I posted. If one looks at the forum, it's been up since Mar 09, my join date is Saturday, April 11, 2009, which I never remember doing (BTW - there are 675 pages of members with 20 members per page, so something like 17, 550 members and nobody uses/heard of it). No, as far as I can tell there is no direct link from this web site of the FanZone (?) web site. Cheers Sammy Getty Second City Troop RFC, Bryn Mawr Pa USA

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