Biggest
Broadcast Deal Takes Rugby Into The Future.
Fox Sports Remains The Home Of Rugby
In Australia.
Network Ten
Continues As Free-To-Air TV Broadcast Partner.
Fans will get to watch more Rugby in 2016, with the
Australian Rugby Union (ARU) today announcing a new and significantly bigger
media rights arrangement with foundation broadcast partner, FOX SPORTS, and
free-to-air partner, Network Ten, for 2016-2020.
The improved deal will see FOX SPORTS continue as the home
of Rugby in Australia and the only place to watch LIVE all Qantas Wallabies
domestic Tests, New Zealand and South Africa domestic Tests, the expanded
18-team Asteron Life Super Rugby competition plus The Rugby Championship.
The new deal ensures the long-term future of the Buildcorp
National Rugby Championship (NRC), with FOX SPORTS to remain the exclusive
broadcaster of the competition. FOX SPORTS will also continue to broadcast the
New Zealand and South Africa domestic competitions, the Mitre 10 Cup and Absa
Currie Cup.
Network Ten will remain the Australian free-to-air
broadcaster, finalising a deal with FOX SPORTS to simulcast all Qantas
Wallabies domestic Tests, the Bledisloe Cup, and all matches played by the
Qantas Wallabies in The Rugby Championship.
And for the first time, Network Ten will show a full replay
of one Super Rugby match per round each Sunday morning with a start time
between 8am and 11am and a onehour Super Rugby highlights show each Monday
night.
Network Ten will also broadcast full replays of all Asteron
Life Super Rugby finals matches featuring an Australian team.
FOX SPORTS CEO, Patrick
Delany said: “It’s an exciting time for Rugby in Australia. The Wallabies
RWC fairy-tale run has reignited Australia’s passion for the sport and FOX
SPORTS will be the place to take Rugby into the future.
“As the foundation
partner of the Super Rugby, we have been there from the beginning and our
commitment and investment has been instrumental in securing the future of the
sport and helping Australia return to a powerhouse force again.
“With an expanded
Super Rugby competition, a highly-anticipated Test series against England at
home, plus a growing domestic competition in the NRC, the future is bright for
the sport and we are excited to continue as the home of Rugby in Australia,” Mr
Delany said.
Network Ten Chief Executive Officer, Paul Anderson, said: “The new agreement strengthens and extends our
commitment to Rugby and will bring more great matches to fans across the
country.
“Rugby is a vital part of our premium sport content on
Network Ten. We are delighted to be expanding our partnership with the
Australian Rugby Union and FOX SPORTS to ensure viewers get the best possible
coverage across all television.
“The Wallabies are on fire at the moment and we’re very
excited about being part of their journey and success over the next five
years,” he said.
Key Points
Of The 2016-2020 Media
Rights Arrangement:
FOX SPORTS will broadcast:
• Every Qantas Wallabies domestic Test, New Zealand and
South Africa domestic Tests, all Asteron Life Super Rugby games and The Rugby
Championship, all Bledisloe Cup matches) live, ad-break free during play and in
HD.
• The Buildcorp National Rugby Championship, New Zealand
domestic competitions (including Mitre 10 Cup) and the South Africa domestic
competitions (including Currie Cup).
• All games of the 2017 British and Irish Lions Tour in New
Zealand live.
Network Ten will broadcast:
• Every Qantas Wallabies domestic Test and all matches
played by the Qantas Wallabies in The Rugby Championship plus Bledisloe Cup
matches live.
• A full replay of one Super Rugby match per round and a
weekly Super Rugby highlights show.
• Full replays of all Asteron Life Super Rugby finals
matches featuring an Australian team.
