NRL secures new broadcast partnerships with Nine and Foxtel

May 29, 2020

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has announced the agreement of an extended broadcast deal with Foxtel and Nine, with the companies securing the current rights period until the end of 2022 and Foxtel extending its partnership for a further five years until the end of 2027.

Announcing the extended contract, ARLC Chairman, Peter V’landys stated “I am delighted to have worked with our long-standing partners Foxtel and Nine to reshape and resume the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership.”

With the NRL season having recommenced last night, V’Landys noted “we could not have reached our … restart ambitions without the teamwork and collaboration of our partners.

“These deals provide certainty to ensure our 16 clubs remain strong and that we can continue to invest in grassroots rugby league across our communities.”

As part of the commitment from Nine and Foxtel, for the remainder of the 2020 season, Foxtel will continue to show all eight games every round, with Nine televising three weekly NRL matches, with Nine providing exclusive coverage of both the Grand Final and State of Origin.

Foxtel Chief Executive, Patrick Delany, announced the partnership in an interview on Fox League yesterday evening before the presentation of the first match of the restarted season.

He advised “Foxtel is incredibly pleased to support the NRL through this difficult period and to have footy back on Foxtel this weekend, every round, every game, live and ad free during play.

“This is a great outcome for footy, for fans and for players.

“It’s also a hugely important signal to everyone in Australia, and around the world, that we will get through these times, and we can keep players and coaching staff safe while we all enjoy the game.

“The agreement between Foxtel and the NRL extends our existing broadcast rights for a further five years and cements our position as the Home of NRL until 2027.

The financial details of the deal were not revealed but the broadcasters are understood to have paid less than the $1.8 billion, five-year deal (worth $360 million per season) agreed in 2015.

26th May 2020 - NRL’s goal to have crowds in stadiums in July described as ‘absurd and dangerous’ by Australian Medical Association

25th May 2020 - Stadiums prepare for NRL return

20th May 2020 - NRL announces six venues that will host restarted season fixtures

20th May 2020 - Global sports sponsorship market predicted to fall by 37% this year

5th May 2020 - NRL agrees new pay deal with players to enable 28th May competition restart

5th May 2020 - Deakin University launches survey to assess how Australians are coping without sport

2nd May 2020 - Australian Medical Association urges NRL to be cautious on fast tracking 2020 season restart

1st May 2020 - Coronavirus has multi-billion dollar negative impact on global sport

30th April 2020 - Federal Sports Minister warns that NRL’s return could be threatened by players’ breach of social distancing requirements

28th April 2020 - NRL announces 20-round season schedule with 25th October grand final

24th April 2020 - NRL season on target for 28th May restart after agreement with broadcasters

18th April 2020 - NRL moves forward with competition resumption in late May

9th April 2020 - Broadcaster accuses NRL of ‘mismanagement’ as league announces plans to recommence on 28th May

19th August 2019 - NRL hit by declining broadcast viewing figures

20th August 2017 - Broadcasters fake NRL live atmosphere with historic crowd footage

27th November 2015 - NRL announces $1.8 billion broadcast deal with Fox Sports and Channel Nine

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.