Fans the big winners from landmark media rights deal

Rugby league fans are set to be the biggest winners from a historic new NRL media rights deal. 

The Australian Rugby League Commission on Tuesday announced a seven-year $5.3 billion agreement, the largest broadcast and media partnership in Australian sporting history. 

The deal continues the existing partnership with Foxtel Group, Nine and Sky NZ, and expands access to matches for fans in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.

Already the most viewed sport in Australia and the pacific, supporters will be put at the centre of the rugby league viewing experience. 

"One of the vital requirements that we needed and we've delivered was it would be affordable to the fan," ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said.

"Thanks to [Foxtel parent company] DAZN, we've agreed to ensure the fan can afford to watch the great game of rugby league. That has also been achieved, we thank DAZN for the way they've embraced that requirement."

NRL CEO Andrew added the new deal will provide fans with new opportunities to connect with the game's biggest stars. 

"I want to thank and acknowledge both Nine and Foxtel for the way they've embraced the modernisation of how we present the game," Abdo said.

"What you'll see in the new deal, you'll see changes around the draw and the season structure belonging with the game, which the broadcasters have embraced well. 

"Also the way in which modernisation has occurred in terms of content creators and clubs being able to access footage and bring that to life for fans. The fans are the winners from that. There's many elements to this and it goes beyond just the price."

The landmark seven-year deal commences in 2028 and will see every NRL and NRLW match broadcast live in Australia on Foxtel. 

Channel Nine will continue to provide exclusive coverage of the NRL Grand Final and both Men’s and Women’s State of Origin Series and will simulcast three weekly NRL and NRLW fixtures. 

Sky NZ will continue to facilitate the rapid growth of rugby league in New Zealand, with 130 fixtures broadcast on the network's free platforms. The number of fans across the Tasman has tripled in the last five years and the growth is tipped to accelerate under the new deal.

International growth has been a key focus for the NRL in recent years and V'landys said the new deal provides the foundation to expand the sport's supporter base around the world. 

"The deal future proofs the game for everybody," V'landys said. "It future proofs it for the next 20-50 years, this will enable us to buy assets to continue to grow the game. 

"More importantly, it gives us the platform to not only continue to grow the game here in Australia, but globally. Our ambition is to grow the game globally. With these additional funds, we'll be able to achieve that in all parts of the world. 

"We've done a deal where there's 400 million subscribers to DAZN that rugby league will be marketed to. That's a very important element to us. This isn't just about growing it in Australia, this is about growing it in all markets around the world. 

"The $5.3 billion over the seven years does not include that potential growth in the market. We believe the $5.3b will increase substantially once we start our global ambitions."

The new deal comes on the back of record television ratings and crowds throughout the past couple of years. 

Last year's epic grand final between Brisbane and Melbourne was the most viewed rugby league match of all time.

The Game Two of this year's State of Origin series was the second most viewed match of all time, while Wednesday's decider at Suncorp Stadium is tipped to surpass both rating figures. 

The increased interest comes amid a rapidly changing game, with the introduction of set restarts contributing to the creation of a fast-paced, high-skill contest. 

The competitiveness of the sport is reflected in this year's NRL ladder, with just four points separating second and ninth on the table. 

The players on the field have felt the rise in interest, with more games played in front of big crowds and even bigger television audiences. 

"You can see the shift in the support and the way the game has been marketed and advertised," Sharks prop Tom Hazelton said.

"The product's as good as it's ever been so it's no surprise the broadcast deal probably exceeded what they were expecting. The game's in a good place and I'm looking forward to seeing it continue to grow."