NRL celebrates with new TV deal

The NRL has celebrated the game’s return from a 10-week hiatus by announcing new broadcasting deals with Foxtel and the Nine Network.

Maika Sivo of the Parramatta Eels scores a try against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Thursday night as the NRL season restarts. Picture: AAP

The NRL has celebrated the game’s return from a 10-week hiatus by announcing new broadcasting deals with Foxtel and the Nine Network.

Only an hour before Brisbane and Parramatta were scheduled to resume the season at Suncorp Stadium, the NRL confirmed major partner Foxtel would continue to broadcast the game until the end of the 2027 season.

Foxtel already had a deal with the NRL until the end of 2022, but has agreed a five-year extension in a billion-dollar boost to the code.

Nine have agreed to a revised deal that will mean they broadcast the game until the end of 2022. Under the revised deal, Nine told the Australian Stock Exchange that they expected to save $27.5m in each of 2021 and 2022 – and an even greater amount this season.

“This is an excellent long-term outcome for both Nine and the game of rugby league,” Nine chief executive Hugh Marks said.

“Completion of Season 2020 will enable the continuity of the code from a game, supporters’ and sponsors’ perspective.

“We are also delighted to have reached a revised agreement with the NRL for seasons 2021 and 2022, and at a level of rights costs that enables us to sustainably invest in Rugby League for the future.

“Nine is pleased to be continuing its partnership with Rugby League.”

The Nine boss had previously warned the NRL of a willingness to walk away from the code if a deal could not be struck, and was highly critical of former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.

Messages of support are displayed on a stadium big screen during the round three NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium on May 28, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Marks initially claimed the network would save $130m a year if the 2020 season did not go ahead earlier claiming a preference for a cancelled season saying it would be a “net negative”.

An ASX statement released on Thursday evening said the move meant Nine Entertainment would save $27.5m on its original deal, but blows out originally forecasted savings for this year to $64m.

“As a result of the recommencement of the NRL season, Nine has revised previous cost commentary. On March 30 2020, Nine highlighted a series of cost initiatives in CY20 that totalled cash savings of $266m, a number that was subsequently increased to $289m on May 5.

“Under the revised contract, Nine expects a P&L benefit, resulting from changes in rights fee and associated production and services arrangements, of approximately $27.5m each year in FY21 and FY22, with a greater benefit in FY20 given the modified season.

Tense negotiations

Commission chair Peter V’landys and acting NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo have been locked in tense negotiations with their broadcasters for some weeks.

At one point, there were genuine fears that the Nine Network may walk away.

Rugby League chairman Peter Peter V'landys. Picture: Nikki Short

“We have re-signed the deal with the NRL,” Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany said. “It will go out now to 2027. That is an extraordinary eight years from now. What an amazing day it is. We went off air in March.

“It is a great lesson for all of us with what seemed impossible then is possible now. Some great leadership from the NRL. We are so proud to be part of it.”

V’landys thanked Delany and Marks for reaching an outcome that put the fans and the game’s future first.

“I am delighted to have worked with our longstanding partners Foxtel and Nine to reshape and resume the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership,” V’landys said.

“It is significant that on one of the most important days in our game’s history, we have finalised the deals to ensure its future.

“Our negotiations were tough but always in a spirit of goodwill and shared ambitions for the betterment of rugby league. We could not have reached our May 28 restart ambitions without the teamwork and collaboration of our partners.”

“These deals provide certainty to ensure our 16 clubs remain strong and that we can continue to invest in grassroots rugby league across our communities.”

Under the resumed 2020 season deal:

- Foxtel will continue to show all eight games every round – including five exclusive telecasts each weekend;

- Nine will continue to televise three weekly NRL matches – Thursday and Friday nights, plus Sunday afternoon;

- Nine will provide exclusive coverage of the October 25 Grand Final;

- Nine will continue its exclusive coverage of the three State of Origin matches, to be held this year over three weeks on November 4, 11 and 18.

Additional reporting Leo Shanahan