A leading television analyst has declared the NRL‘s new broadcast deal a win for fans despite complaints Channel Nine will retain the rights to the biggest games of the year. The Australian Rugby League Commission is set to sign off on a $5.3 billion deal that will see Foxtel, owned by global sports streaming giant DAZN, and the Nine network continue to screen premiership and State of Origin games until the end of 2034.
ARLC boss Peter V’Landys has not only secured the record deal he was after – trumping the AFL‘s $4.5 billion broadcast contract – but also achieved his goal of not upsetting supporters by divvying up the rights to multiple platforms.
Channel Nine will retain exclusive rights to State of Origin (L) and the NRL grand final as part of the record $5.3bn broadcast deal that league boss Peter V’landys (R) helped broker. Pic: Getty
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It means Fox League will continue to show nine NRL games a week from 2028, while Nine maintains its usual diet of Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday afternoon footy. Under the arrangement, it also means Nine will continue to hold exclusive rights to the State of Origin series and NRL grand final.
This is one area fans were demanding change. Forced-fed a diet of Phil Gould, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer and other NSW and Queensland luminaries on Origin nights, viewers were hoping the new deal would at least give them the option to watch the games simulcast live on Fox.
Nine tipped for major shake-up after new NRL deal
Nine reportedly paid $250m to retain exclusive rights to Origin, ensuring it remains the home for Australian sport’s biggest annual event. But veteran media analyst Steve Allen from Fusion Strategy predicts Nine will look to shake up its coverage to keep pace with Fox.
Channel Nine has been tipped to shake up a broadcast team that features the likes of Phil Gould (L) and Andrew Johns (R) in the wake of the record new TV deal with the NRL. Pic: Getty
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“For fans the status quo is, in most respects, the best outcome for fans and the NRL,” he told Yahoo Sport Australia. “It makes it easy for fans to continue to navigate and follow their favourite teams, keeping the fan and viewer base intact.
“Making it harder for fans and followers to find a telecast is ruinous for a code. Any major overhaul would have the potential to upset fans and lose momentum for the NRL.
“The A League know this in spades. Look what that has done for them. And hopefully with this longer-term NRL contract, Nine can improve their match calling and coverage team.”
The new deal is expected to be officially announced ahead of next Wednesday night’s Origin decider in Brisbane, which is likely to attract a record audience on Nine. More than four million viewers tuned in to watch game two, underlining how important Origin is to rights holders.