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Report: Seven plots State of Origin rights

Speculation Seven is hoping to launch a joint bid for Origin with Foxtel.

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Not for the first time, Seven is reportedly on the warpath to seize State of Origin rights from Nine.

According to the Daily Telegraph, CEO James Warburton and Head of Sport Lewis Martin met with the NRL’s independent commission chairman Peter V’landys and CEO Andrew Abdo last week.

Cameras filmed the foursome deep in conversation at Glass Restaurant in Sydney last week.

The article claims Seven wants to launch a joint bid with Foxtel to simulcast the three games on Seven, FOX League, Kayo and 7plus.

Their offer would be in the vicinity of $30 million a year ($10 million per game) over five seasons.

Their offer will include the men’s, women’s and Under 19’s interstate fixtures with a pledge to heavily promote each game not just in the NSW and Queensland markets but nationally in AFL markets.

Nine currently has the rights sewn up to 2027. James Warburton declined to comment, according to the article.

Back in 2020 there was speculation Seven was keen for Origin, although it was then linked to monies freed up if Seven were to walk away from Cricket Australia.

9 Responses

  1. More then two states. 178,000 number in Melbourne pretty good for a non NRL state.Based on your comment same applies to AFL rights were most times Melbourne has viewer numbers higher then all the rest If Australia combined

  2. If Channel 7 get the State of Origin rights then we will have to put up with bad commentators. RL commentary has gone downhill for many years now with lack of excitement and the same old jokes.

    1. I’m confused with this comment. On the one hand you’re saying the commentary is going to be bad if 7 get it, but you’re also doing the commentary is already bad. So the only difference would be what show promos we see during the ad breaks? I’m all up for shaking up the sports rights as it will stamp out complacency. Maybe.

      1. Im saying that Nine’s NRL commentary have been subpar with Gus, Joey, Cam Smith, Billy Slater just to name a few. If Seven gets the Origin and that Joey, Cam SMith and Billy Slater jump to Seven, then this will become very unbearable. And don’t get me started on Mel McLaughlin – her presenting style was so awkward

  3. Seems unlikely to me that NRL would separate these out. Maybe nine will be coerced to share with Foxtel. At the very least, seven looking to act as a spoiler trying to either make nine pay more (and with the Olympics, limits nine bidding for other events in the future perhaps) or share with Foxtel (meaning nines ratings will be less) both of which help seven.

      1. I agree the NRL would be foolish not to explore as they have in the past but I’m guessing they would prefer to keep with one broadcaster unless the $$ are just too good. But seems very early to be in talks about the SOO for 2028 onwards which is why I think this is a spoiler of sorts from seven while nine presumably have less cash post Olympics commitment. Either seven manage to dislodge from nine or they make nine pay more. Similar tactics with the AFL negotiations I guess.

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