Rugby league coverage will remain on Nine, with a five-year deal which secures the broadcast rights to the game from 2023 to 2027.
As well as five more years of NRL coverage, Nine will remain the exclusive home of two of Australia’s most watched sporting events, the State of Origin series, and the Telstra Premiership NRL Grand Final, ensuring all fans of the greatest game on television don’t miss a moment of the action.
The new broadcast deal will give Nine three additional matches across the season, resulting in more NRL on free-to-air TV, plus new digital rights to offer footy fans a premium viewing experience that cannot be matched.
And after securing the biggest ever live BVOD audience in Australia for the 2021 NRL Grand Final, 9Now will continue to be the premier destination for live streaming and catch-up viewing, as well as delivering over 100 hours of Nine-produced digital content.
State of Origin will return to its traditional home of Wednesday nights in three blockbuster interstate clashes and Nine will continue to cement its commitment to the women’s game with expanded broadcast, digital offerings and reporting of the NRLW competition.
The continued growth of Rugby league is guaranteed as Nine works alongside the Australian Rugby League Commission, the National Rugby League, and the clubs to promote the great game and to help deliver the moments and memories that generations of fans will remember forever.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys AM said: “Today is an exciting day for our fans with the free to air broadcast deal of the NRL Telstra Premiership, NRLW and Ampol State of Origin locked in until the end of 2027. This is more than a broadcast deal, it’s a partnership to grow rugby league using all of Nine’s media platforms – television, radio and print. It was a priority for the Commission to secure the long term future of the game. In doing so it was important to ensure that a long term partnership reflected the Commission’s desire to grow the game at all levels, to invest in innovation and to ensure we have a partner that can help grow the game from participation to pathway competitions and premierships,’’ he said.
“I want to thank Nine Chairman Peter Costello and Chief Executive Mike Sneesby for their commitment to rugby league and loyalty to our game, the most watched sport in Australia this year.”
Brent Williams, Nine’s Head of Sport, said “For 30 years, Rugby League has played a major role in the history of Wide World of Sports and we’re delighted to be extending our association at a time when the sport is entering such an exciting growth period.”