Fans were touted as the winners of the NRL’s TV deal from 2018, which promised four games live on Free-to-air, but it won’t necessarily pan out that way as Channel Nine considers selling Saturday night matches back to Fox Sports.
There were rumblings this week that a proposal from Channel Nine and Fox Sports to share a broadcasting deal could mean changes as early as next season.
As for 2018 and beyond, Channel Nine, knowing how much Fox Sports wants to prop up its live sports coverage, could make $40 million per year according to Fairfax, if it sells Saturday night matches.
If the deal were to go ahead the NRL TV rights would be worth $1.9 billion.
News Limited reports an arrangement between Fox Sports and Channel Nine could mean every game live on Fox Sports with three simulcast on Free-to-air.
If this were to happen Foxtel would still hold significant leverage as a ‘must have’ for rugby league fans who have previously never been able to enjoy every match live.
The initial TV rights deal announced by former CEO Dave Smith didn’t go down well after he gave Channel Nine the chance to sign first before an agreement was reached on Pay-TV rights.
“This part of the deal is really about getting four games live for fans on free-to-air, all live and all in prime time. It’s a very significant shift forward for our fans. The game gets more control and the fans get more of the product,” Smith said in August.
Whether it was a coincidence or not, many saw the presence of Rupert Murdoch at the signing of the AFL TV rights agreement and his subsequent comment about AFL being the premier code in Australia as a sure sign News Limited was ropeable at Smith’s handling of the rights deal.
Since Smith’s resignation as CEO, negotiations reportedly started straight away between Foxtel and Nine. Phil Rothfield claims Nine CEO David Gyngell was always willing to give up Saturday night football with his initial move all about preventing a rival FTA channel from gaining the rights.
The independent commission is expected finalise broadcasting deals in the coming days.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
"The choreographers were also busy at the Storm’s home game against Penrith the same day. With Melbourne building a big half-time lead, the referees gave the visitors every opportunity to make the game a closer contest.” That's the journos opinion which I'm all sport's journos & fans have a million different opinions on the one thing. Get a life!
Mamma
Guest
Jamie I watched the game and saw one of the best choreographing jobs in years - NZ didn't get a decision until the end when England were well in front.
Mamma
Guest
So RL writers make stuff up - is that your conclusion but your mates were defending him above - which is it??
Mamma
Guest
Bruce How insightful - You wrote nearly the same stuff above "Roy Masters…..Roy Masters…..Roy Masters…..!!!!!!!!………….lol…………Hope your mother can find you under the bed……lol."
Mamma
Guest
Whats the relevance? you quote from a RL article - there were 10 players in the 30 man squad who didn't reside in the US but qualified by either being born there, 3 year residency or by the grandparent rule (just as RL except they don't have the residency rule). Another misquote from RL world - the Guardian I believe.
pete bloor
Guest
I though Huawei were in just about every mobile phone store... but then smart phones haven't really caught on yet
pete bloor
Guest
It could also be serious overs right? Locking things in ahead of time does remove upside but it also removes risk.
pete bloor
Guest
You really don't like daredevil do you. Now I get the Bennifer movie was pretty terrible, and it wasn't just Souths fans who felt aggrieved, but a blanket ban on the poor blind guy is perhaps an over reaction.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I'm going to buy a Kool Aid franchise,should set me up in retirement.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
10 non locals played for the USA in the RWC Mamma mia.No one cared one hoot.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Lebanon officially recognised by the Govt,Bank of Beirut sponsorship.In the schools and universities. You are really getting down to pettiness Mamma ma.Lebanon is closer to Europe than Argentina and Sth Africa are to Oz,so what.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Mamma mia,or whoever you are at the current juncture.Aliases change at the whim of a weather forecaster. Just to alert you to the fact in today's SMH,as I hate to be the bearer of bad news to you: "Optus joins race for NRL broadcast rights,increasing pressure on Fox Sports" You know the mob you suggested earlier would not be able to do so,and your mate GoGWS/Canberra is in panic mode because all these so called rl journos are dribbling.Some do no doubt,but Optus has confirmed interest.Enjoy. Gyngell..did indeed make the point about having money to help the NRL.The difference was a deal was actually done with the NRL by Gyngell. By contrast Rupert because he didn't get a deal done,gave the best impression of a dummy spit/kid throwing his toys out of the cot,with a veiled threat "AFL is our preferred code it is our national game" and his 2IC "we will promote via our papers and TV the code in the Nthn States". .And judging by some of their recent BS comments in the Australian/Telegraph,they are still struggling and wanting there NRL to sign up at once.Poor dears. If you cannot see the difference ,then human reactions have little effect on youThe spoken word,indeed is powerful. SBW entrance did not affect the Rooster's salary cap.They didn't go over.The Roosters have more contacts in the business world than any other NRL club via the likes of Bouris,McGrath,Gyngell,P,Politis,Packer.SBW got a swag of his money from 3rd party deals.There is no limit on these provided,the companies involved are not current Roosters sponsors. If Hayne was available now ,they would have a strong chance of nabbing him.
Jaime O'Donnell
Guest
I'm as objective as the next person. Again Roy Masters, mate as a Manly fan I don't care about what he has to say. Creator of the Fibro vs Silvertails BS in the 70's. If you are upset with what he writes.... don't read it. Pretty simple, and certainly not worthy of causing this much angst. As for the piece you refer to, about Harrigan influencing games, yep no proof. Just an article to get hits or people buying the paper. Maybe he was referring to the 1999 GF that the Storm won on the back of a penalty try. Probably had some $$$ on the St George.
Bruce
Guest
Mamma Mia........have you changed your name again? You sound so very much like the other Victorian Rules fanboys (maybe only 1) that come on here and make endless posts about a game they/you don't like. I have only six words for ya.......Roy Masters, Roy Masters, Roy Masters..........lol.........now when your mummy finds you under the bed just apologise and toddle off.....lol.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Canberra Raiders are one of the richest sporting groups in Australia. Most Canberra sporting entities find it hard to attract international brands for some reason or another. The Brumbies didn't have a sponsor for a while, were sponsored by a small IT company from memory and then the Uni of Canberra. So the Raiders didn't do too bad in comparison.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Sounds like you might be interested in buying some tin foil hats....
Jaime O'Donnell
Guest
Did you watch the game Mamma? Do you think the ref had any influence over the outcome of the match? As SA said, non-issue. Don't care what other sports do what with their refereeing, umpiring or what have you. Seriously after reading yours, and other flag waivers, contributions to this tab anyone would think you have a vested interest in the game of Rugby League and what it can achieve in the next broadcast deal. I have no interest in what Aussie Rules got, I have no interest in Rugby, nor do I care for soccer's (sorry football's) supposed massive growth. The game I follow passionately is Rugby League. What disappoints me with the Roar, is that article after article on the Rugby League tab is hijacked by wannabe code warriors putting the game, I prefer down, at every opportunity. It becomes tedious and very boring. I find it sad that those who love the game as much as I, maybe even more, need to continuously defend Rugby League on a tab that was created to discuss the game. If you don't like Rugby League, don't follow Rugby League then why bother commenting. I'm sure there is something to keep you entertained on the tab that corresponds with your preferred choice of game... If not, maybe that code isn't worthy of your support in the first place.
Mamma
Guest
Its Vodafone so obviously its recognition factor with you is zero. You failed to mention casinos which aren't national brands and some of which you speak are minor sponsors at various clubs but the AFL has national sponsors in the main - did the GC Titans get a sponsor in the end - Southern radiology - not a national brand so therefore less $$ one would assume, The raiders were backed by the Tradies (a local Licensed club till Huawei wanted to sponsor the Brumbies and were told by the Govt no too dangerous but of course the raiders ignored the Govt...etc... How many consumer goods does Huawei sell in Oz - they are a Telco equipment manufacturer who hardly sell to Joe Public...
Mamma
Guest
Cathar, Sleiman has shown you to be incorrect . Lebanon did play in the European Championships so in fact your research has fallen short. It appears as you say that not only RL journalists make mistakes - that's why we comment to fix up all their (and your) errors
Mamma
Guest
A neutral ref a non-issue? What other game with international pretensions doesn't have neutral refs for international games??? Any ideas...