The NRL has inked a new $1.8 Billion broadcast deal, which will see all 8 games per round broadcast live and ad-free on Fox Sports for the first time.
Under the terms of the new deal, Fox Sports will broadcast all games live from the start of the 2016 season, including 5 exclusive games each week. Fox Sports will also launch a dedicated NRL channel in 2017.
It has been a challenging negotiation for Fox Sports, which was completely blindsided in August when the NRL signed a 5-year – $925 Million deal with the Nine Network. Under that deal Nine secured exclusive broadcast and digital rights for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night NRL, plus the main Sunday afternoon fixture.
Having also recently faced the humiliation of loosing EPL rights to Optus, the News Limited owned Fox Sports was forced to negotiate with Nine and the NRL to regain exclusive rights for the Saturday night game.
Under the new deal Nine and Fox Sports will now simulcast the Thursday and main Friday night game, as well as the Sunday evening match. Fox Sports will show Nine’s broadcast of these matches commercial free.
Fox Sports will have exclusive rights for the remaining five matches of the round, including Saturday night football, however Nine simulcast the last five Saturday night games of each season.
Beginning in 2017, Fox Sports will have exclusive rights for an early Friday night timeslot. The 6pm games will feature teams predominantly from Queensland and New Zealand, and will allow Fox Sports to have a double-header Friday.
The Nine Network will broadcast 18 live Thursday night games in 2016, and 23 live Thursday night games from 2017.
As part of the new arrangement, Fox Sports will boost NRL coverage by launching a dedicated NRL Channel in 2017. The new channel will mirror the hugely successful Fox Footy channel that currently serves AFL fans. The new NRL channel will include a line-up of NRL panel programs including NRL360, which will air 3 nights per week.
The Fox Sports deal does not include the NRL Grand Final and the 3 State of Origin matches, which will remain exclusive to Nine. The second State of Origin game of each season will be played on a Sunday night from 2017 to help ease the workload on players.
The number of Monday night football matches will be significantly reduced in 2016 and completely eliminated in 2017 as the league moves towards a Thursday night fixture.
Telstra will have mobile device rights for all NRL matches but will be restricted from showing live games on its new Telstra TV devices. Nine and Fox Sports will also hold digital right for the matches they host broadcast.
Hugh Marks, CEO of NIne Entertainment, said “This is an outstanding result for the game with more live and free
coverage for NRL fans from 2016. For Nine, it clearly represents an enhanced outcome for our
shareholders and enables us to participate in a strong media partnership delivering quality NRL
coverage for the game, the clubs and the broader NRL community for the next 7 years.”
FOX SPORTS CEO, Patrick Delany, said: “This is the best deal for the game, for the fans and for our subscribers. Today marks a new era in the relationship between FOX SPORTS and the NRL.
“We will deliver a fan experience like no other, providing a dedicated channel, new broadcast innovations, and the best commentary and analysis from the game’s biggest stars.
“This breakthrough deal will ensure fans get to see their team in action live every week on FOX SPORTS, uninterrupted by ad-breaks during play and in high definition, the way they deserve to watch the game they love. We are extremely pleased to have retained our successful Super Saturday offering and are looking forward to showcasing live Friday night prime-time coverage from 2017.
“In another huge win for the sport, FOX SPORTS will launch a dedicated 24-hour, seven days a week Rugby League channel in 2017, giving fans what they have been asking for.
“This new deal would not have been possible without the support of Channel Nine and the ARLC. And together, with our digital partner Telstra, we will deliver the most dynamic NRL coverage to fans than ever before.
“Australia is a sporting nation. More than ever, we want to follow our club and share in the players’ journey. This improved offering ensures that no matter what your sport, no matter what your team, you can now watch it live and in high definition on FOX SPORTS,”
Co-Creator and Editor of the TV Blackbox website, Kevin Perry is an experienced media commentator focused on TV Production, Consumer Tech, SVOD & Sports Broadcasting.
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