Foxtel promises football fans nothing will change under DAZN ownership

Foxtel Group has assured sports fans of a smooth transition after its blockbuster sale to DAZN, as it prepares to launch its NRL and AFL seasons.

Foxtel group chair Siobhan McKenna and Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany.

Foxtel Group has assured sports fans of a smooth viewing experience after its sale to DAZN, as it prepares to launch its NRL and AFL seasons.

This month the broadcaster is launching its coverage of the forthcoming NRL and AFL seasons as the sport calendar transitions from cricket to football.

The launches come as the new owner, global sports streamer DAZN, goes through the final stages of the $3.4bn deal.

Since the ownership change was announced two days before Christmas, Foxtel Group chief executive Patrick Delany has not spoken about the transaction, apart from a few comments in a release announcing the sale.

Speaking on the sidelines at the launch of Foxtel and Kayo’s 2025 NRL season coverage, Mr Delany said subscribers who watched the start of the NRL and AFL seasons under the current ownership would see no disruption once DAZN took the reins some time before June 30.

“There will be no change to anything we do under the new ownership structure. The owners (of DAZN) are very happy with our company. They are buying the Foxtel Group because it’s a great company, strong, with a good P&L. We have the best producers in the world on the Fox League and Fox Footy channels and on Kayo coverage … there will be no interruption.

“People will only feel better as time goes on as the new owners are able to deliver more scale.”

DAZN chief executive Shay Segev said recently: “We’re looking forward to working closely with Patrick Delany and his team, as well as News Corp and Telstra as shareholders in DAZN.”

Mr Segev also spoke about enhancing the viewing experience for Foxtel Group customers and using DAZN’s global reach to export Australia’s most popular sports to new markets.

News Corp and Telstra will maintain a small shareholding in DAZN, with Foxtel Group chairwoman Siobhan McKenna likely to take a seat on the DAZN board.

The Australian’s Dataroom reported this month Nine Entertainment Co was an interested party in acquiring Foxtel when it was on offer last year.

Nine reportedly was prepared to offer $2.4bn for the business, $1bn short of what DAZN ultimately offered.

Originally published as Foxtel promises football fans nothing will change under DAZN ownership