Why are most Six Nations Games on so early ?

SIX PACK wrote: »

Simple question that's bugs me. I work most Saturday's & don't finish work until 2pm & then it takes me 1 hour to drive home.
Ideally I would prefer to watch the Ireland games in a pub with bit of atmosphere on a Saturday Evening.

I'm sure if the Matches were on after 5pm they would have 10 times the amount of viewers & no doubt the boozers would draw a big crowd too

We were drawn with early matches this year, bar the French game which was at 4.45 Irish time. Just the luck of the draw. Next year, we have one game at 4.45, two Sunday at 3pm games, one at 2.15 and one at 2.45.

Because the f**kers clearly know I'm 8 hours behind, and revel in the thought of hauling me out of bed at 6am :mad:

Neil3030 wrote: »

Because the f**kers clearly know I'm 8 hours behind, and revel in the thought of hauling me out of bed at 6am :mad:

Maybe if you got up a bit earlier you wouldn't be eight hours behind. :pac:

SIX PACK wrote: »

Look at UEFA Champions League those games don't start until 19:45

I'm sure if the IRFU seriously looked at this issue they would command much Larger audience.

Not very family friendly though, watching via TV or going to games. Those attending are chalk and cheese.

Dial Hard wrote: »

Having been in Searson's before both previous games I can tell you the boozers aren't having any trouble drawing crowds.

I would suggest that boozers would make far more money from evening games.

With afternoon games people watch the game and go home. With evening games people will watch the game and then stay out drinking.

No stats here, but I would consider it common sense.

bucketybuck wrote: »

.

With afternoon games people watch the game and go home. With evening games people will watch the game and then stay out drinking.

Afternoon games people usually eat too, not so much in the evenings, kitchens are usually closed anyway in most places. More profit in that too I think.

SIX PACK wrote: »

Look at UEFA Champions League those games don't start until 19:45

I'm sure if the IRFU seriously looked at this issue they would command much Larger audience.

It’s not up to the IRFU, there are 5 other parties involved. Also the biggest game of the weekend is rightfully in the prime time slot for Saturday evening.

I thought it was ITV that pushed the schedule earlier when they got the broadcast rights? It used to historically be 3pm / 5:30pm / 8pm or thereabouts. And usually just the latter two if it was 2 games on a Saturday. But now its 2pm ish and 4:30pm ish and no late games on Saturdays.

The word I heard at the time was that this was so there was no clash with ITV's primetime Saturday night reality TV trash. Britains Got Talent / X-Factor / The Voice or whatever. Its a shame, the later starts were much better both for atmosphere at the games and for the convenience of heading out somewhere to watch them. And for drinking at a decent time.

Sanjuro wrote: »

We were drawn with early matches this year, bar the French game which was at 4.45 Irish time. Just the luck of the draw. Next year, we have one game at 4.45, two Sunday at 3pm games, one at 2.15 and one at 2.45.

I didn't realise that next year's games were already picked? have you a link!

Neil3030 wrote: »

Because the f**kers clearly know I'm 8 hours behind, and revel in the thought of hauling me out of bed at 6am :mad:

I would have thought it would appeal to a worldwide audience if later, but with 2-3 games & then to fit in the adds, it starts earlier, especially if it's TV3
I suppose it'll be teh same with tomorrows EPL game, but earlier @4.30/12.30pm

Water John wrote: »

So, The Premiership should play the majority of their matches, under floodlight too?

Late Saturday games start next year@7.45 in the premiership, as they had one recently on a Thurs, usually i seen only Lge cup games!
Inc FAC moved to a 5pm, instead of 3pm!

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

The boozers dont run the 6N.

Indeed they don't.
They are far too busy running government legislation.