The NRL is poised to award broadcasting and streaming rights to Foxtel and Nine as part of a seven-year, $5 billion deal, which would kick off in 2028.
The deal appears to be structured in a similar way to current TV rights, which are split between Foxtel and Nine.
Media reports suggest that Nine will pay $150 million annually for the free-to-air broadcast of three games per week, the State of Origin series, the NRL finals and grand final until 2034.
Foxtel will pay roughly $520 million to broadcast and stream (via its Kayo app) every game of the NRL, except the State of Origin series and Grand Final, which will continue to be shown exclusively on Nine.
A New Zealand broadcaster is poised to pay $50 million to broadcast games involving their local team, the New Zealand Warriors.
The deal would eclipse the $4.5 billion that Foxtel and Seven currently pay for the AFL TV rights in their current rights arrangement, which runs until 2031.
It also means that Nine’s subscription video on demand streamer, Stan, misses out on streaming rights for another seven years as audiences rapidly migrate to watching sport on streaming apps.
In 2028, the competition will be extended from 17 to 19 terms, including new additions the Perth Bears, which join the NRL in 2027, and the PNG chiefs, which kick off in 2028.
Neither Nine, Foxtel or the NRL comment on active rights negotiations.
