THE ARU is set to finalise their negotiations for the new broadcast agreement between FOX Sports and Network TEN.
FOX Sports will continue to show Super Rugby, but it's understood that the ARU is in negotiations with the TEN Network to include one live game of Super Rugby on Friday nights.
Super Rugby has been exclusive to Foxtel since day one in 1995, but however there is a view that the game needs to grow commercially and exposure.
In the past, FOX Sports has resisted to allow FTA broadcasters any live coverage, arguing it would reduce its own coverage.
In saying all this, Channel 10 has the live rights to Wallabies Tests so it makes sense for the ARU to extend that relationship even further, when TEN had picked up the rights to broadcast the Wallabies since Channel 9 had onsold the rights to TEN because they were pressured by both ARU and Foxtel. No other FTA broadcasters wanted Super Rugby.
There is speculation ARU chief executive Bill Pulver will achieve his target of $40 million for the broadcast rights, although some industry insiders believe the figure will be closer to $30m.
