Nine Entertainment Co. (ASX: NEC, Nine) announced that an agreement has been reached for the National Rugby League (NRL) broadcast rights for four years, starting from 2023. The agreement gives room for the live broadcast of NRL matches on Free-To-Air TV and is in line with the current contract, although the league has been expanded to accommodate 17 teams.

Nine has acquired a Free-to-Air license to broadcast 3 premium live games weekly. Also, Nine retains exclusive live, free streaming rights and will also air a Saturday night match live. Wednesdays evenings have been slated for State of Origin matches and the Grand Final continuing exclusively on Nine and 9Now from 2023. This is good news for the Australian market as they will continue to enjoy access to key NRL games from Nine through 9Now.

Accompanied with TV broadcast right is radio and audio streaming rights, for at least four matches weekly.

Nine will average c$115 million per annum for four years up until 2027 with a further c$15m of contra and the provision of other (non-cash) services. This weighs up favourably with the average cost of the previous contract announced in November 2015 and ran between 2018 and 2022. It averaged $115m per annum plus $10m contra.

Peter Costello, Nine Chairman stated: ‘This is a major deal for our business to bring this exciting sport to the Australian public across our platforms. The negotiation has been constructive and in the spirit of partnership across our businesses and we thank the NRL for the positive engagement in the process for an outcome that benefits all Australians and fans of the game.”

Peter Costello Chairman of Nine and Mike Sneesby

Mike Sneesby, CEO of Nine, stated: “We are very pleased to extend our 30-year partnership with the NRL for a further five years. This certainty enables Nine to continue to bring the game live and free to all Australians, and partner with the NRL to further develop the game for the clubs and the broader community. This is an outstanding result as together we build a strong media partnership delivering quality, and free, NRL coverage for all Australians for the next six years.”

Peter V’landys AM, Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman stated: “Today is an exciting day for our fans with the free to air broadcast deal of the NRL Telstra Premiership, NRLW and the 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. 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.”