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NRL signs deal with Foxtel to 2027, Nine to 2022.

NRL reaches new deal wth Foxtel, while Nine renegotiates current contract.

  • Foxtel signs NRL to 2027
  • Nine sticks with NRL to 2022 
  • Shorter 2020 season with Grand Final October 25
  • State of Origin in November

The NRL has secured a new broadcast deal with Foxtel to 2027 while Nine will remain with its current rights date of 2022.

It follows protracted negotiations that included a broadside from Nine to the NRL management and the departure of CEO Todd Greenberg.

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys said, “I want to thank Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany and Nine CEO Hugh Marks for reaching an outcome that puts the fans and the game’s future first.

“I am delighted to have worked with our long-standing partners Foxtel and Nine to reshape and resume the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. It is significant that on one of the most important days in our game’s history, we have finalised the deals to ensure its future.

“Our negotiations were tough but always in a spirit of goodwill and shared ambitions for the betterment of rugby league. We could not have reached our May 28 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.”

Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said: “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. It provides the NRL with the certainty to continue to develop the status of the game and gives fans the go to destination for the best of NRL, all in one place.

“Being back on the field and back on air tonight doesn’t happen without leadership. I want to acknowledge Peter V’landys AM and everyone at the NRL and the clubs for their passion to get the game back. It’s been outstanding.”

Nine CEO Hugh Marks said: “As we approach the kick off for the resumption of NRL season 2020, I want to congratulate Peter on his leadership, and also Andrew for stepping into his role in these extremely difficult circumstances. They have both enabled us to confidently move forward and invest in the future of NRL.

“The team at Nine are in this for the long term and we all look forward to working with the NRL and all the stakeholders, as we continue to build on the success of the game for its long term future.

“Our on-air and production teams have combined to bring even more excitement to the game, further enhancing the experience for the fans at home starting tonight. Let’s now all enjoy the game.”

Season 2020 recommences this evening, with a shortened 20-round season, and NRL Grand Final scheduled for 25 October.

State of Origin series will take place immediately after completion of the regular season finals series in November.

For the resumed 2020 season:

  • Foxtel will continue to show all eight games every round – including five exclusive telecasts each weekend;
  • Nine will continue to televise three weekly NRL matches – Thursday and Friday nights, plus Sunday afternoon;
  • Nine will provide exclusive coverage of the October 25 Grand Final;
  • Nine will continue its exclusive coverage of the three State of Origin matches, to be held this year over three weeks on November 4, 11 and 18.

Under the revised contract, Nine expects a benefit of approximately $27.5m each year in FY21 and FY22, with a greater benefit in FY20 given the modified season.

The financial details of the deal will remain commercial in confidence.

15 Responses

  1. Well by the *Government Anti-Siphoning list Rugby League still needs to be on Free To Air, so be interesting if 9 did pass on it and no-one wants to take it up, would that mean like the Ashes Series in 2009 was or could the ABC get it. Honestly think a free to air would be silly to pass on it, as mentioned in the other report it is hitting the 16-39 demographics and that’s advertising dollars. Personally think 7 would be able to have a tidier schedule if they took it NRL on the Main in NSW and Queensland and AFL on 7Mate with that vice versa in the AFL states, however depends on their financial situation gets better .

    *Last Update was Oct 2017: legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017C00987

    N.B: As a note I’m more an AFL Fan than an NRL one however would hate to see it go Pay To View only, that ends up hurting the grass roots of the game in the long run and NRL relies on the…

  2. Foxtel and Kayo really needed the NRL to stop the subscriber cancellations, Nine may be playing hard to get but is basically paying for State of Origin, if viewer ratings drop for that series then (though highly unlikely) Nine will drop coverage of the NRL,
    2027 is a highly ambitious statement from Foxtel that they are here to stay, Mr. Murdoch is not averse to spending big to make a point but he also will cut his losses if something new and better comes along, his sentiments are not wholly Australian nowadays.

  3. I’m actually surprised that Foxtel have signed on till 2027 , considering the debt they are carrying i bet they are hoping more will sign on to Kayo and their main sports packages with Foxtel.
    It looks like channel 9 are playing a smarter game this time around , it would be interesting to see what each of them paid.

  4. FTA NRL rights, are up for grabs at the end of 2022.

    Expect the other 2 networks 7 and 10, to bid for them.

    Darkhorse NRL to return to Channel 10.

  5. I guess we need Foxtel now to view once was Free to Air sports now in Australia. Cricket was first to go on Nine, and now the Football, what next? If Nine doesn’t want Football, wonder if they will regain the rights back to Cricket when a new deal is due? So the average Australian can view free to air sports without paying.

    1. When did Nine show every NRL game, and the two games they used to show (Friday night and Sunday arvo) were often delayed or not shown at all in Melbourne.
      There are more live games on FTA now.

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