4 Free to air live matches from 2018 and changes to Draw and SOO

[Eagles2nv]

New Free to air TV agreement announced by NRL.

4 live games a week on Nine Thurs, Fri, sat and Sunday from 2018\

Also:

• The NRL Telstra Premiership will be played over 25 weeks - instead of 26

• A new State of Origin schedule with the second match in each series being played on a Sunday night as part of a stand alone weekend of representative football which will also feature Pacific Nation Tests

• International Rugby League will be given a new priority and will be played in a dedicated window after the NRL Premiership season.

* The NRL has also regained control of the premiership schedule from broadcasters.

http://www.nrl.com/new-free-to-air-television-agreement/tabid/10874/newsid/88790/default.aspx

 

[Eagles2nv]

Seems also the way that smith is talking they will take the digital delivery of the NRL seriously.

 

[Clay]

Some great changes.
The mid season test is a nothing game.
If the origin is going to be a standalone game then it should be a Saturday night.
But 4 live games is great.
if only it was Friday to Sunday.
A Thursday to Monday Schedule for 25 weeks will take some serious planning, and I have doubts in the competence of the NRL to do it correctly

 

[jbb/james]

Some great changes.
The mid season test is a nothing game.
If the origin is going to be a standalone game then it should be a Saturday night.
But 4 live games is great.
if only it was Friday to Sunday.
A Thursday to Monday Schedule for 25 weeks will take some serious planning, and I have doubts in the competence of the NRL to do it correctly

No monday games in the proposal

 

[Clay]

No monday games in the proposal

This is the free to air proposal.
Foxtel will want a Monday game exclusive

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Can some one tell me why this is being announced 3 years out??

I thought the deals weren't going to be penned until 2017.

And so much for the Foxtel/ Chan 10 consortium, looks like Foxtel will be left with 2 games Saturday, 1 Sunday UNLESS it's a deal where as Foxtel hinted last week ALL games would be live on Foxtel.

 

[eagle chick]

This is only the free to air deal. There is still the subscription television deal to be finalised. Stay tuned.

 

[2830 Eagle]

With a bit of luck the ch. nine commentary team will change too. Surely Ray Warren will retire by then.

 

[smirny]

It's brilliant for those without pay television, Saturday free to air league will be great. It will be interesting to see how it affects Foxtel considering half the round will be available to watch for free.

My thinking is that Foxtel will get all games live, and the majority of people will rather watch the game on Foxtel rather than Channel 9.

 

[Eagles2nv]

Can some one tell me why this is being announced 3 years out??

I thought the deals weren't going to be penned until 2017.

And so much for the Foxtel/ Chan 10 consortium, looks like Foxtel will be left with 2 games Saturday, 1 Sunday UNLESS it's a deal where as Foxtel hinted last week ALL games would be live on Foxtel.

@MFB, the NRL has stated they wanted to beat the AFL for the next TV rights, so I imagine signing it up now was part of it.

I also wonder if it had to do with the RLPA wanting more clarity around future salary caps and player welfare. This deal will liekly mean more player welfare and the salary cap significantly increasing beyond $7M.

 

[Eagles2nv]

This is only the free to air deal. There is still the subscription television deal to be finalised. Stay tuned.

Pun intended? 😕

 

[torana355]

Great, even more games in SD..... I bloody hate channel 9. Hopefully Foxtel get simulcast rights to all the channel 9 games so i can watch the games in HD. Im happy that more games are FTA as that is important but Channel 9 need to get with the times.

 

[lsz]

Most important part...they have regained control over the scheduling

 

[Rusty Cage]

Two new teams for 2017 to give fox the game they would otherwise lose?

 

[Mals]

Two new teams for 2017 to give fox the game they would otherwise lose?

I was thinking along these lines as well but introduced in 2018 when the new deal comes in.

 

[Rusty Cage]

I was thinking along these lines as well but introduced in 2018 when the new deal comes in.

Yep, your right. 2018.

 

[Fluffy]

I think everyone is missing the biggest question - Will Brisbane still play every Friday night?

 

[eagle chick]

Pun intended? 😕

Lol that was unintentional. I believe if Foxtel & Fox Sports have every game live in HD and simulcast rights it will be an ideal scenario......

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Most important part...they have regained control over the scheduling

Most important......for them !

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I think everyone is missing the biggest question - Will Brisbane still play every Friday night?

I ****ing hope not!!