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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...nrl-crowds-20151008-gk4g47.html#ixzz3nxqV7hFdLast Sunday's epic grand final, which is being replayed on a constant rotation in the foyer of League Central, was the second highest rating television program of the year so far – behind Origin II and ahead of Origin I.
The figures give Smith confidence the NRL will secure an overall broadcast rights figure to rival the $2.508 billion, six-year deal announced by AFL, despite upsetting News Corp by selling four free-to-air matches to Channel Nine for $925 million in a deal that will see Fox Sports lose the Saturday night match and the end of Monday night football from 2018.
"We envisaged that negotiations would take some time and they will but in no way are we unhappy with the value of our rights and the proposition that is before us," Smith said.
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