Networks vie for the AM radio rights to NRL
Ben Holgate and John Stensholt
John Singleton’s Macquarie Radio Network is believed to have edged ahead of Fairfax Media in the race for the NRL AM radio broadcasting rights.
In what may turn out to be a greater sharing of radio rights across multiple broadcasters, Southern Cross Media’s Triple-M FM radio network is understood to be in the running to call more than its current one rugby league game – on Mondays – each week.
Macquarie’s 2GB, which is the incumbent AM rights holder, was close to finalising a deal with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), one source close to the negotiations said. However, an ARLC spokesman said no deal had been finalised and no announcement was planned.
It is understood Fairfax Radio is still in discussions with the ARLC and expects to have another meeting with the it this week. There is speculation the ARLC may decide to give Fairfax, which teamed up with Bill Caralis’s regional NSW radio network for the NRL bid, a role in the new agreement for a small number of the eight games a week. Under that scenario Macquarie and Triple-M would share the majority of the games. Fairfax publishes The Australian Financial Review.
It is believed 2GB and Triple-M paid combined $1 million a year under the latest NRL rights deal, which expired at the end of this football season.
Meanwhile, there are mounting concerns that an historic deal between five horse racing bodies to transfer TV broadcasting of the sport to the industry-owned ThoroughbredVision (TVN) network could be delayed until the new year, or even scuppered as negotiations to finalise the deal drag on. TVN is to hold comprehensive rights for NSW and Victoria from January 1, when agreements with rival Sky Channel, owned by gaming company Tabcorp, expire.
There are concerns that rivalries between racing figures in Victoria and NSW have delayed the agreement, which could result in Sky approaching individual racing boards in an attempt to convince them to break ranks from other racing bodies. Sky currently holds rights to broadcast some races in NSW and other states, including Queensland, while TVN has total rights in Victoria. If no agreement is struck by the end of the year, it is likely a series of month-to-month contracts with Sky would have to be signed before a final resolution is agreed to.
TVN chairman and advertising industry figure Harold Mitchell is trying to broker a deal.
