Breaking News: The NRL is expected to hold a press conference this morning to announce that the next TV rights deal, worth $1 billion, will be retained by Channel Nine and Fox Sports for the next five years.
It is expected Nine will retain all representative games, including the valuable State of Origin series, and three free-to-air-matches.
Fox Sports will continue to show five games including Monday Night Football.
In addition, Fox will show 13 games of Sunday Night Football live in a new development, as well as three Thursday Night Football games.
Rival free-to-air networks, Ten and Seven, have been told this morning that Nine and Fox Sports have retained the NRL broadcasting rights for the next five years.
The NRL will hold a press conference this morning to announce the deal worth $1.025 billion – although it is understood that the deal with Nine/Fox will reach $925m in cash, with $100m more in contra advertising.
New Zealand rights, mobile and Internet assets have yet to be monetised.
Under the new agreement, Nine will retain all representative games and three free-to-air matches.
Fox Sports will continue with five games, including Monday Night Football.
It is understood that both Ten and Seven were buoyant about their chances of a deal, but the new ARL Commission has taken the offer from the incumbent broadcasters.
Full details of what the deal means for the game of Rugby League