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NRL 2025: Peter V’landys launching billion-dollar broadcast deal right talks, with Netflix, Amazon in the mix
The NRL’s multibillion-dollar broadcast rights are going up for sale, with Peter V’landys setting a deadline for the deal, which could attract interest from some of the world’s biggest streaming giants.
Travis Meyn
Travis Meyn
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@travismeyn
3 min read
January 28, 2025 - 4:06PM
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The NRL’s multibillion-dollar broadcast rights are going up for sale in a development that could attract interest from some of the world’s biggest brands like Netflix, Amazon and Paramount.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is targeting a mid-year deadline for finalising the NRL’s next broadcast arrangement to take the game into a bold new era beyond 2027.
The commission is hopeful of a Perth NRL expansion franchise being confirmed following the March 8 state government election in Western Australia.
A Perth team would give the NRL a 19-team competition, and new audiences in WA and Papua New Guinea, to take to the negotiating table.
Regardless, the NRL is hoping to cash in on its next broadcast deal following a surge in the game’s popularity over the past five years which has led to record audiences and revenues.
V’landys told this masthead the NRL was on the verge of beginning negotiations for its next broadcast deal.
“We will be negotiating the rights this year,” he said.
“They don’t start until 2027 but you need to give yourself a couple of years’ lead time.
“We hope to have something done in the middle of this year.”
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is targeting a mid-year deadline for finalising the NRL’s next broadcast arrangement. Picture: Getty Images
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is targeting a mid-year deadline for finalising the NRL’s next broadcast arrangement. Picture: Getty Images
The NRL’s next broadcast negotiations are shaping up to be fascinating.
V’landys orchestrated what is reported to have been a $1.7 billion deal with Foxtel and Channel 9 during the Covid crisis of 2020 that threatened to sink the game.
The landscape has changed significantly since then following the introduction of the competition’s 17th team the Dolphins in 2023 and recent announcement a PNG franchise will enter in 2028.
A Perth team is still on the agenda for 2027 but is contingent on current WA Premier Roger Cook being re-elected given the bid is state-backed.
In an Olympics year, the NRL boasted four of the top five rating programs on free-to-air television for 2024 while Fox Sports reported record viewership for NRL games last year, including the inaugural Las Vegas season-opener.
While Australian free-to-air channels will be in the mix along with Foxtel, the NRL is also expected to attract global interest from streaming powerhouses as it pushes to top the AFL’s last $4.5 billion deal.
The rugby league landscape has changed significantly since the last broadcast deal was struck, with the Dolphins joining the league, a PNG team greenlit for 2028 and the NRL still in discussions over a possible Perth team. Picture: Getty Images
The rugby league landscape has changed significantly since the last broadcast deal was struck, with the Dolphins joining the league, a PNG team greenlit for 2028 and the NRL still in discussions over a possible Perth team. Picture: Getty Images
News Corporation, publishers of this masthead, last month announced it had struck an agreement for Foxtel to be sold to UK sports streaming giant DAZN (pronounced da-zone).
DAZN is expected to be a major player in the next broadcast cycle negotiations but may not be the only global brand.
Paramount, owners of Network Ten, has shown interest in Australian sports along with $4 trillion mega company Amazon, while Netflix recently paid US$150 million (A$240 million) to stream two NFL games on Christmas Day.
V’landys said he didn’t expect the sale of Foxtel to impact the NRL’s target price given the popularity of the code and potential bidders.
“I don’t think it will make any difference,” he said.
“We have got the most valuable rights in Australian sport. Last year we were the most viewed sport in Australia.
“It will also depend on if someone else wants the rights and there will be plenty of parties wanting the rights.
“The way free-to-air TV is going – sport, reality TV and news is their whole ball game. They are not competing for the other content anymore.”
Patrick Delany (left), CEO of Foxtel Group, with V’landys in Las Vegas. Picture: Getty Images
Patrick Delany (left), CEO of Foxtel Group, with V’landys in Las Vegas. Picture: Getty Images
As it stands, the NRL will launch an 18-team competition in 2028 when PNG joins the league but that could change if Perth is fast-tracked from 2027.
The commission’s ultimate goal is to have a 20-team competition within the next decade, which would create 10 games per week (eight currently) and a potential conference system.
“We are still in discussions with Perth and they have been positive,” V’landys said.
“Unfortunately for us the election is on March 8 so we will give it some breathing space until after that.
“We will look at a 20th team but that may not be done in this broadcast cycle.
“I wouldn’t discount another team from Queensland or New Zealand.”
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