Seven wants NRL, but 'not at any cost'

SEVEN is still interested in screening NRL games but says it will not pay excessive amounts for the privilege.

SEVEN West Media says it is still interested in gaining the television rights to at least some National Rugby League (NRL) games, but only if the price is right.

Seven, Nine, Ten and Fox Sports are all currently vying for the right to screen some or all of the NRL games in the 2013 season.

Nine and Fox Sports currently share the rights to NRL games, with Nine also screening the State of Origin series.

Seven currently shares the TV rights to screen AFL games with Fox Sports and Austar.

Seven Network Television's chief executive officer Tim Worner said that while the company was still interested in the NRL rights it would not be bidding excessive amounts for them.

"We are interested in the NRL, but not at any cost," he said on Monday.

Seven West Media, Foxtel and Austar paid $1.25 billion for a five-year rights deal to screen the AFL after a bidding war in 2010.

The NRL received $500 million from Nine and Fox Sports for its current five-year screening rights deal which expires in late 2012.

The Australian Rugby League Commission which runs the NRL is expected to make a decision on the television rights in the next couple of months.