Nine and Stan today announced that Stan will launch its live streaming capability in 2021 through a brand new partnership with Rugby Australia that will see rights for all games come to Stan, making it the home of Rugby in Australia.
This landmark partnership will combine the power of Stan, Australia’s leading local streaming service, and its parent company Nine, Australia’s largest locally owned media company, to bring live sport to Australians everywhere across multiple platforms seamlessly, in a move that will engage and enthral Rugby fans.
The partnership which kicks off in 2021 with Super Rugby, Super W, The Rugby Championship, including the Bledisloe Cup, Wallaroos games, Shute Shield, Hospital Cup, Mitre 10 & Currie Cup, plus SANZAAR Union home games live and ad-free on Stan. Rugby fans will also be able to relive the greatest moments of Australian Rugby with access to an extensive library of games available on Stan.
As part of the partnership, Nine has committed to broadcast Wallabies Test Matches played in Australia and New Zealand, plus a selection of live Super Rugby matches across the season. Nine will also bring the live sport expertise of the Wide World of Sports team to the partnership.
Stan CEO Mike Sneesby said:
“Rugby Australia is making bold moves in the development of the sport – something that fits perfectly with what we do at Stan. This partnership with Rugby Australia will see Stan launch its live streaming capability in 2021, as we take Australian sports television into a new era. Through the combined audience reach and engagement across Nine’s television platforms, we are well positioned to bring Rugby Union to more Australians than ever before.”
Rugby Australia interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke said:
“Rugby Australia is very excited about our new partnership with Nine Entertainment Co. and what’s in store for our great game over the next three years and beyond. Rugby has found its new home on Stan and the Nine Network, with broad reach on free-to-air as well as ad-free, extensive access on the Stan platform.
“The fantasy has become a reality for the Australian Rugby community. This is a landmark deal that includes everything in the showbag, and it gives more Australians more access to more Rugby than ever before. Australian Rugby is transforming with an exciting future ahead, and this innovative deal enables us to fast-track that growth from the bottom-up.
“We’re thrilled to partner with streaming service Stan, who now boast more than two million Australian subscribers and are growing at a rapid rate. We’ve recognised that the broadcast landscape has changed, and we’re changing with it.”
“Nine and Stan have also made a commitment to our women’s game, both at a domestic and international level. Rugby Australia is passionate about the growth of the women’s game in Australia and we look forward to working closely with them to showcase our competitions and talented players as well as encouraging more women and girls to pick up a Rugby ball,” Clarke said.
Nine to launch Stan Sport
Nine today announced the launch of Stan Sport, a live and on-demand premium sport package to be offered as a bundle to Stan’s streaming customers, with the initial content through 2021 stemming from Nine’s new partnership with Rugby Australia.
The parties have reached an in principle commercial agreement between Nine and Rugby Australia, pending SANZAAR sign off. The three-year deal will include live free-to-air and ad-free subscription coverage and is worth approximately $100m in cash and contra. There is also a two-year option for Nine to extend.
Further to rugby union, Nine will look at opportunities to invest in a range of additional exclusive sports rights, on either a pay or cross-platform basis, focusing on content aimed at driving its long-term subscriber growth and profitability objectives.
The launch of Stan Sport will enable Nine to deliver a “whole of television” approach to sports as it offers extensive live and on-demand coverage to Stan subscribers, as well as making select premium events available on Nine’s FTA television channels. The move will allow Nine to choose the appropriate platform for its various sports offering while also enabling our partners to fulfil their growth ambitions.
“The launch of Stan Sport is a bold expansion for Mike Sneesby and the team at Stan, to sit alongside our hugely successful Stan entertainment offering,”
– said Hugh Marks, Nine CEO.
“We will bring all our collective expertise from decades of experience in live sport broadcasting to deliver the best possible outcomes for viewers, rights holders, and the growth ambitions of the sports we partner with.
“At Stan, we are focused on bringing Australians the best local, international and original programming, which has seen our audience reach significant scale. Today’s announcement will see us extend that offering through the launch of our live streaming capability, bringing live sport to Stan in 2021 and opening up a range of new programming opportunities. Our partnership with Rugby Australia is the perfect place to start this new business.”
Stan CEO Mike Sneesby said:
