The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Foxtel withdraws offer for Rugby broadcast rights, Optus move looms

24th November, 2019
Advertisement
Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
24th November, 2019
128
28946 Reads

Rugby Union broadcasting may soon have a new home after news emerged today that Foxtel has withdrawn its offer for a five-year deal to continue broadcasting rugby union in Australia.

Foxtel has broadcast rugby union for 25 years and has a deal that extends until the end of 2020, which covers Wallabies Tests, Super Rugby and the NRC.

It’s understood that Optus is interested in acquiring the broadcast rights, with the potential to make an offer in the vicinity of $30 million per year.

Of course, it has been noted that Foxtel’s decision to walk away from the table doesn’t necessarily mean that a deal won’t be reached at a later point.

The pay TV broadcaster threatened similar action in 2018 over cricket broadcasting rights, but eventually reached an agreement.

Rugby Australia confirmed that they would be in conversation with parties beyond Foxtel in a statement released on Sunday night, saying they were “currently in general discussions with the broader market about the rights for the period for 2021 to 2025.”

“No formal negotiations with the broader market have yet taken place.

“Rugby Australia will commence a formal rights offer process at an appropriate time before the end of the current rights period.

Advertisement

“Rugby has had a 25-year partnership with Fox Sports and continues to be in discussions with their key executives.”

Although Optus were unable to formally confirm their interest in the rights, it’s known that they are looking to add to the available offerings on their live streaming platform, Optus Sport.

They recently outbid Foxtel for the right to broadcast the Rugby World Cup within Japan, though Foxtel continued to hold the broadcast rights in Australia.

close