The NRL's new $5.3bn broadcast deal, signed this month, will gradually reduce the number of matches available on free-to-air television, pushing more games behind a paywall. Under the current agreement, four of eight weekly games are on free-to-air, but when a 20th team joins by 2029, that will drop to just three out of ten—from 50% to 30%.
Details of the Deal
Nine Network will pay $145m in cash annually for three weekly games (plus finals and State of Origin), up from $115m. Foxtel will contribute roughly $500m per year, nearly double its current fee, for exclusive rights to the remaining matches. The NRLW coverage will also shift, with half of regular-season games moving to Foxtel exclusively.
In 2017, an NRL spokesperson told the Sydney Morning Herald that the league's "objective will always be to ensure the game is available to as broad an audience as possible." However, the new deal marks a clear departure from that commitment.
Government Inaction
The Albanese government declined to intervene, despite having power under anti-siphoning laws to prevent "culturally significant" sport from moving behind a paywall. In June, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland warned the AFL against such a move in 2022. When asked about the NRL negotiations, a spokesperson for Minister Anika Wells said: "Rugby league fans expect their sport to be freely available to watch and enjoy. I expect the NRL and broadcasters to do the right thing for rugby league lovers." Within weeks, the deal was signed.
Price Increases
NRL chairman Peter V'landys said "the price point will be protected," and Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany pledged "we're completely aligned in making sure it's affordable." However, Foxtel Plus rose by $5 per month shortly after, and the Kayo sports streaming service increased from $40 to $46 per month in February (a single-stream option costs $30).
