Netflix, DAZN, Amazon: NRL launches multibillion-dollar TV rights negotiation under code of secrecy

NRL bosses Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo have flown to the United States for talks at the global headquarters of DAZN, Amazon and Netflix as they chase a multibillion-dollar long-term deal.

NRL bosses Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo have flown to the United States for TV broadcast deal talks with cashed-up American networks.

The pair left Australia on Friday under a code of secrecy for talks at the global headquarters of DAZN, Amazon and Netflix as they chase a multibillion-dollar long-term deal from 2027 onwards.

On Sunday we tracked down Abdo to get details of the meetings but he was reluctant to give anything away.

Via text he said: “In the U.S with PVL for a quick-fire wide range of meetings.”

He would not respond to further questions. V’landys did not return calls.

This masthead recently revealed the commercial tension that is building locally around the rights.

Nine Entertainment wants a lot more than the three free-to-air games they have under their current contract.

Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo are in the US to negotiate on new TV rights deal.

The network is also bidding for six pay-per-view matches on its streaming service Stan once the NRL becomes an 18-team competition with Perth’s entry.

DAZN recently paid $3.4 billion to buy Foxtel and are going all out to keep the rights.

The NRL’s current TV deal is worth $2 billion, or $400 million over five years, that was signed at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Two years later the AFL came in over the top with a seven-year $4.5 billion agreement with Channel 7 and Foxtel.

The pressure is on V’landys and Abdo from the clubs and the RLPA to beat that given the NRL’s record breaking TV ratings for premiership and Origin football in recent years.

NRL’s venture into the American market has been a success. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

In May V’landys spoke to this masthead about his hopes for the new broadcast deal.

The return of the North Sydney Bears with Perth and Papua New Guinea’s entry in 2028 as the 19th team, positions the NRL perfectly.

“We have a much more valuable product now,” V’landys said, “I’m confident the hard work will pay off with a record deal.”

For international rights, Channel 9, Channel 7, DAZN and Amazon are all bidding for next year’s World Cup in Australia.

Originally published as Netflix, DAZN, Amazon: NRL launches multibillion-dollar TV rights negotiation under code of secrecy