New Telstra Deal signed

[Timmah]

Rugby League fans will for the first time be able to watch matches live on mobile phones and tablets, regardless of their carrier, under a new five-year digital media and sponsorship agreement between Telstra and the Australian Rugby League Commission.


Under the partnership, announced in Sydney today, Telstra will acquire the following properties:


• Exclusive broadcast rights of all NRL matches for mobile and tablet devices*,
• Naming rights to the Premiership and Sunday Football,
• Operation of the NRL website and related team sites, the official NRL app, and the official NRL fantasy games;
• Extensive highlights packages during and after games
• Exclusive post game access/press conferences to mobile and tablet devices
• Extensive signage and marketing activation rights.


*Five matches per round live and three as per Nine Network broadcast times

Interim ARLC CEO, Shane Mattiske, said the new partnership between Telstra and the ARLC will jointly deliver more fans unprecedented coverage of the game and benefits that flowed through to the sport’s grassroots:
“The renewal of our partnership with Telstra is great for the game and great for all fans.


“Over twelve years Telstra has been a key partner at every level of the game and we are delighted they have extended their commitment to rugby league. This extended partnership will see a significant investment in innovation that will deeply engage more fans than ever before in the excitement of Rugby League,” Mr Mattiske said


“Telstra’s commitment and enthusiasm to delivering leading edge technology to fans through innovative mobile and ‘tablet’ coverage, a new official app and a great new NRL.com and club websites has been a key factor in renewing our association. Telstra is a partner that deeply understands the game and you can’t help but be impressed by what they are committed to achieving over the next five years.”


Telstra CEO, David Thodey, said Telstra was unmatched in its ability and commitment to deliver Rugby League to more Australians and match content will be available to all consumers via the NRL app.


“Australians have embraced smartphones and tablet devices and this partnership provides for us to make the app and its live coverage available to all NRL fans where and when they want it,” Mr Thodey said.


“Whether it is watching live coverage of the Telstra Premiership while they are out and about, catching up on latest news or highlights or competing with friends in fantasy football and tipping, the 2013 season will see Telstra and the NRL deliver an unprecedented experience,” he said.


Mr Thodey said that as well as taking the league to a wider audience, the partnership between Telstra and the NRL would support the continued growth, success and enjoyment of the game.



“At NRL games and events, fans will have the opportunity to interact with the sport and their heroes in new and unique ways. Meanwhile we will continue to develop the sport through local community programs.


“Telstra’s sponsorship of the NRL will help connect more Australians to the sport, whether they are elite players, local clubs or the next generation of players and fans,” he said.


http://www.nrl.com/new-telstra-deal-a-win-for-fans/tabid/10874/newsid/70509/default.aspx

 

[Perth Red]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Hope it was at least worth some decent $'s this time around.

 

[maelgwnau]

im happy that telstra still wants to support our game, any news on what $$ amount the nrl sold the rights for??

 

[Timmah]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Hope it was at least worth some decent $'s this time around.

Helps if you actually read the release.

Exclusive broadcast rights of all NRL matches for mobile and tablet devices*,

Is a pretty big step up on what's been seen so far.

 

[ryana87]

Hooray!!!.....does this mean no need for foxtel?..... Surely this also means that the nrl channel on telstra tbox will get live games as well?

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Probably means still no highlights on youtube.

Anyway will be interesting to see how this tablet viewing goes, I thought Fox Sports were exclusive tablet broadcasters?

 

[Danish]

f**king awesome stuff. Live streaming of NRL matches will be fantastic.

the only thing that can f**k it now is is Telstra charging too much for the service. Hopefully they don't get too greedy and charge something like $10 per month or $50 for a season pass

 

[Edwahu]

Hooray!!!.....does this mean no need for foxtel?..... Surely this also means that the nrl channel on telstra tbox will get live games as well?

Nope, its tablet and mobile. Hopefully its a decent quality stream so you could hook up a tablet with HDMI out.

 

[Timmah]

You'd still need to be a Foxtel subscriber I imagine, they'd use the Foxtel GO app to stream the games they have the rights to.

Ch 9 games would be streamed at the same time they're on the actual channel, even if it's a delayed telecast.

 

[Perth Red]

I hope its for alot more than $100mill. Internet rights should be worth more than that and then naming rights to the comp on top of that.

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/telstra_to_sign_us105_million_nrl_renewal
http://www.adnews.com.au/adnews/telstra-to-take-nrl-digital-rights-for-100m

 

[Canard]

Do they have the same thing in AFL? If so whats the pricing?

 

[El Diablo]

Perth Dickhead is whinging again

Who woulda thunk it

 

[Big Sam]

Ch 9 games would be streamed at the same time they're on the actual channel, even if it's a delayed telecast.

Does that mean geoblocking for Friday night? Or could we watch the QLD game live in NSW and vice versa?

 

[Canard]

You'd still need to be a Foxtel subscriber I imagine, they'd use the Foxtel GO app to stream the games they have the rights to.

Ch 9 games would be streamed at the same time they're on the actual channel, even if it's a delayed telecast.

This seems to indicate that it MAY be something different:
http://afr.com/p/national/telstra_to_sign_nrl_digital_rights_FUDX31kPFMz8pRLxklpovK

But as they are in a business partnership together, its hard to believe they would be in "opposition" to each other. (Eventhough they will broadcasting different games)

And for PR that article states its a $100M deal.

 

[Rosetta]

Do they have the same thing in AFL? If so whats the pricing?

http://www.afl.com.au/afl/news/2012-03-07/appy-days.default has all the answers.

I'd say it would be similar pricing, maybe slightly cheaper for a season pass.

 

[Canard]

f**k if its $50 a season, then Im all over that like a rash. I was contemplating getting Foxtel next season also.

Ive been watching it "online" for years but more than happy to pay for it if priced correctly and the quality is there.

 

[mxlegend99]

Would gladly pay $20 or $30 a month even for live streaming (or atleast same time as fox/nine) if it is in HD and i could somehow have it on my big screen at home. Hopefully they let people with accounts do it on their PCs also. My HTPC would be the most convenient way to watch them. Having to fiddle around with my phone or tablet each time to hook it to the TV would get annoying.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

http://www.afl.com.au/afl/news/2012-03-07/appy-days.default

Although the new deal is expected to have the same annual value as the previous agreement, it is understood Telstra will now have rights to broadcast NRL matches live via mobiles, tablets and Internet protocol TV, as well as at least some of the digital rights for the three weekly matches telecast by the Nine Network. It previously held all the NRL digital rights.
Fox Sports, which has rights for the other five NRL matches every week, gained the IPTV and tablet rights for the matches it will broadcast when the ARLC signed its five-year, $1.05 billion agreement with Fox and Nine in August.

So Telstra only got the Nine games, not the Foxtel ones? Nothing is clear.



Disgusting that it's still for the same price even if it's less years. Digital rights for $20million a year is going to look stupid in 2017.

 

[Clarke]

Liking the new Telstra Premiership logo. Telstra no longer dominates the logo, it is now a NRL logo with Telstra included.

 

[Quidgybo]

Surely this also means that the nrl channel on telstra tbox will get live games as well?

There is no mention in the official announcement about IPTV rights, only mobile and tablet. Under the last deal Telstra had the right to provide full replays after 24 hours of all games online. Sounds like they no long have that right (yet paid more). The NRL seem to have reserved IPTV rights for themselves for the moment.

Leigh.