‘Defining moment’: Kayo Sports, Foxtel remain home of NRL, NRLW as historic broadcast deal announced

Kayo Sports and Foxtel will remain home to the NRL and NRLW until at least 2034 after a historic new broadcast agreement was officially announced on Tuesday.

The extension of a 30-year broadcast parternship means the platforms will retain live coverage of every home and away game in both competitions, and every finals game except the grand final. The game’s international reach will also be expanded with parent company DAZN taking NRL matches into 200 markets around the world.

Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Features of the new agreement include:

— More exclusive live NRL matches as the league expands – increasing from five matches in full rounds to seven matches (when the 20th team enters)

— Exclusive NRLW matches

— An expanded Super Saturday proposition with more exclusive live NRL matches on Saturday across the entire home and away season

— More matches available in 4K

— More innovation embedded into coverage, bringing fans closer to the game than ever before

Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany described the renewed partnership as “a great outcome for the game, fans and our subscribers” and one that maintained Kayo Sports and Foxtel as the “home of NRL and live sport in Australia well into the next decade.”

“We have been partners in the growth of rugby league for 30 years and are committed to working with the NRL to grow the game at all levels, elevate the fan experience and deliver even better innovation for audiences watching across Australia and in 200 international markets through DAZN,” Delany said.

“We invest $1 billion every year in sports rights and production. Sport is critical to Australia’s social infrastructure and with the NRL investing significant broadcast dollars directly into grassroots football, every Kayo subscriber not only buys affordable family entertainment but contributes to a better and stronger community.

“Our thanks go to Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo for their trust, vision and commitment to the ongoing innovation that continues to drive the growth of the game.”

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys said the new deal was a “defining moment for rugby league”.

“The Commission has worked hard in the last five years to make the game more entertaining for our fans, effectively doubling our audience. Our Players and Clubs that made this possible will now be justifiably rewarded,” V’landy said.

“This agreement is the largest commercial deal ever secured by an Australian sport, but its significance goes well beyond the financial outcome.

“It returns the draw back to the NRL and will ensure fair and equitable scheduling for all Clubs. It also gives us greater flexibility to shape the future of the game, and ensures more fans can access rugby league than ever before.

“We entered these negotiations with a clear objective — secure long-term growth while retaining control of the things that matter most. We have achieved that outcome.

“I want to thank Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany, Nine Chair Peter Tonagh, Nine CEO Matt Stanton, and Sky NZ CEO Sophie Moloney for reaching a landmark agreement that puts the fans and the future of rugby league first.”

NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo described the deal as a reflection of the unprecedented growth of rugby league and the confidence the market had in rugby league’s future.

“This agreement reflects the strength of rugby league today and confidence in where the game can go next,” said Abdo.

“It is the result of years of planning, discipline and execution by the Commission as we positioned the game to maximise its value in a rapidly changing media landscape.

“The outcome gives us the certainty, flexibility and resources to pursue ambitious growth opportunities across every level of the game.

“In particular, more investment than ever will go into grassroots and community football to drive participation and ensure all levels of the game flourish.”

Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

“Rugby league is now in the best possible position for further expansion and continued growth from a community level through to the international stage.”

Delany added: “When the 20th team enters the competition, we will have seven of 10 games exclusively on Kayo SPORTS and Foxtel and our subscribers will be able to watch their team live every week, no matter which team they support.

“We are also thrilled to now have exclusive live games of NRLW - one of Australia’s fastest growing leagues - and we think it will grow even faster with more games on Kayo SPORTS and Foxtel.

“With the NRL now secured long term alongside the AFL, Cricket, Supercars and Formula 1, Kayo SPORTS and FOXTEL are home to the top Tier 1 sports in Australia. Combined with the best in international sport and more than 50 live sports, we’re bringing fans an unmatched sporting line-up.

“With this breadth of coverage, we’re helping to grow the games themselves, inspire the next generation of fans and athletes, and ensure our investment continues to strengthen communities and participation across the country.

“Now we have the rights agreement in place, our focus turns to ensuring Kayo SPORTS continues to lead in presenting the most innovative approach to live sport broadcasts and continuing to enhance the customer experience.

“I would like to thank our colleagues at DAZN, particularly CEO Shay Segev and Chairman Sir Leonard Blavatnik, for their unwavering support of this partnership.”

Click here to read article