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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.

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