A proposal to split the NRL into two conferences, which would result in new teams being added in Brisbane and New Zealand, would probably result in smaller TV audiences, a leading sports broadcast rights expert says.

Colin Smith, managing director of media rights value at Global Media and Sports, said the conference system would divide the television audience, with Sydney fans likely to tune out of the non-Sydney conference – which would include the Broncos, Titans, Cowboys, Storm, Warriors, Knights and Raiders, as well as new Brisbane and New Zealand teams.