Nine will remain the home of rugby league’s biggest moments after the NRL signed a record-breaking $5.3 billion TV rights deal that makes it Australia’s most valuable sport.
The deal, which will see games broadcast on free-to-air television and on Foxtel, will last for seven years until 2034.
The NRL is set to announce a multi-billion-dollar rights deal that will see the code remain at Nine and Foxtel. Getty Images
Announced by Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Vlandys, the deal eclipses the television rights deal inked by the AFL, making it more valuable than its rival for the first time ever.
Under the arrangements, Channel Nine will broadcast three NRL matches a week, as well as exclusively broadcasting the NRL Grand Final and State of Origin matches, while Foxtel will show every NRL match live except for State of Origin and the NRL Grand Final.
Nine will also have exclusive rights to the Women’s State of Origin, and will also broadcast three NRLW fixtures per week.
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Speaking at a press conference announcing the deal, NRL chair Pete V’landys said “95 per cent” of the deal was in cash and makes the sport the biggest football code in the country.
“In the past five years we have changed the game, effectively doubling the audience,” he said.
“We are now the most viewed programme in Australia and the Pacific. Don’t listen to what other people tell you – particualrly from down south. The deal future-proofs the game for everybody.”
At a press conference at NRL Headquarters on Tuesday, Stanton said he was happy to extend Nine’s partnership with the code.
“Rugby league is one of Australia’s great sporting institutions,and we’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the NRL,” Nine CEO Matt Stanton said.
“Nine are delighted to retain the rights, we’ve had the rights for 30 years… And its really important for us to be the only free-to-air owner of the rights.
“We’re very, very happy with the rights we have.”
Nine Chair Peter Tonagh added in a statement: “Rugby League is part of Nine’s DNA, and it is one of Australia’s most important sporting and cultural assets, uniting the nation.
“This multi-year agreement is not just a major milestone for our business; it is a testament to the commitment, innovation and passion that has defined Nine’s relationship with the game for decades.”
More to come.