Rugby Australia agree landmark TV deal
The Wallabies celebrate winning the Tri-Nations rugby union match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, November 7, 2020. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
Rugby Australia have agreed in-principle a deal with Nine Entertainment Co. which they hope will reboot the game at every level.
It is now subject to a sign-off by the SANZAAR Unions but, should everything be finalised, it will be a huge boost for Australian rugby.
The three-year partnership commencing in 2021 includes a two-year option to extend, ushering in a new era and a new home for rugby in Australia, that will result in an overall benefit to the sport worth AUS$100 million over the initial three-year period.
All Super Rugby AU matches will be live and ad-free on video-on-demand streaming service, Stan, alongside Super W and all matches of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Free-to-air coverage
Saturday night’s Super Rugby AU match will be live, free-to-air on the Nine Network every week. All Super Rugby AU finals matches will also be live, free-to-air on the Nine Network.
Stan will also exclusively stream every Wallaroos Test, the Rugby Championship, the Bledisloe Cup, as well as all inbound Tests for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina with select games broadcast free-to-air on Nine.
Rugby Australia interim chief executive Rob Clarke said: “Firstly, on behalf of Rugby Australia, I’d like to thank everyone involved in this process.
“A special thank you to FOX Sports and Foxtel, as well as its chief executive Patrick Delany, who have done so much for our game throughout its professional history. We have enjoyed great highs over our 25-year partnership, and we would not be in the position we are today without their support.
“I would also like to acknowledge Network Ten and Beverley McGarvey who, over the last five years, have been ardent supporters of rugby in Australia and have helped take our game into new homes right across our country.
“Rugby Australia is very excited about our new partnership with Nine Entertainment Co. and what’s in store for our great game over the next three years and beyond. I would like to make special mention of Nine’s CEO Hugh Marks and Stan’s CEO, Mike Sneesby, for their professionalism throughout this process, as well as their shared vision for the future success of Rugby in our country.
“Rugby has found its new home on Stan and the Nine Network, with broad reach on free-to-air television as well as ad-free, extensive access on the Stan platform.
“This is a landmark deal that includes everything in the showbag, and it gives more Australians more access to more rugby than ever before. Australian rugby is transforming with an exciting future ahead, and this innovative partnership enables us to fast-track that growth from the grassroots up as well as showcase and promote the game like never before.”