JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: Super League clubs have reacted positively to news of the new broadcast television deal with Sky Sports, despite the contract being a monetary reduction on the previous deal.
The RFL has confirmed reports of a three-year deal with Sky, from 2024 to 2026, with video referees to now be at every match and for Sky to produce broadcasts of every Super League game per round.
While an exact figure for the rights has not yet been confirmed, it is believed to be worth around £22 million to £23 million per year, lower than the previous £25 million per year contract that ran for two years between 2022 and 2023. Between 2017 and 2021 Sky paid £40 million a year for the rights to Super League.
According to sources, it appears that Sky will continue to show live two to three live games per round, with the others to be either made available to a free-to-air broadcaster, such as Channel 4, or online platforms, such as OurLeague. Talks with Channel 4 are continuing.
Kris Radlinksi, CEO of Wigan Warriors, told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads: “There is still a fair bit to sort out but having the ability to watch every game has to be a huge positive for the sport.
“It’s great that the medium/long term destiny of the Super League has been secured. As a united community of rugby league enthusiasts, our task ahead is to diligently ensure that we make the most of the upcoming three years.
“This particular year has delivered an unprecedented level of excitement, and it’s crucial that we seize the opportunity presented by the on-field drama.”
The Super League clubs met today in Manchester to hear more about the new TV deal.
Warrington CEO Karl Fitzpatrick described it as a “really positive day for the sport”.
“We continue the relationship with our fantastic broadcast partner, Sky Sports for at least another three years. The new deal includes additional benefits that has the opportunity to really elevate the sport.
“One of these is that every game will now be produced and available to watch live. This is a seismic moment in the history of the sport that will present so many opportunities both for the domestic and international markets.
“A very exciting time for Super League.”
RL Commercial now has a month to finalise the contract with Sky and confirm the greater detail involved, such as the exact amount of games to be broadcast on Sky and the make-up of the fixture list.
“I would say it looks like the best deal RL Commercial could have achieved in the circumstances,” Wakefield chairman John Minards said.
“Really positive that all games being produced. A video referee at every game is positive – it levels the playing field.”
Paul King, chairman of Salford, was slightly more cautious on the deal.
“It’s not bad, there’s still a lot to do,” King said.
“It’s not completed so until we have a full picture it’s difficult to say.”
Radio broadcast rights for Super League have not yet been decided, nor have TV rights for the Championship with ViaPlay to exit the sport at the end of this year.
Catalans Dragons commercial manager Christophe Levy said in a statement: “The TV Coverage of all Super League games is a major step forward for the Competition. The aura of the competition and the visibility offered will increase and the clubs will be the big winners.
“Having all of the Dragons’ home and away matches televised is a unique and extraordinary position since we entered the competition in 2006. This should delight our fans and sponsors who will finally be able to follow the entire season for at least the next three seasons.
“For now, the agreement only concerns Sky Sports and negotiations with a French television channel or a streaming platform will naturally take place during the off-season with the help of IMG.”
Other Super League clubs have been approached for comment.
Rugby League Commercial’s press release this afternoon stated: “Following a meeting of RL Commercial, IMG and Super League (Europe) Shareholders, RL Commercial will now enter a 30-day exclusive negotiating period with Sky Sports to formalise and contract the broadcast rights agreement.
This follows a period of activity in the market that saw multiple bids tabled for the rights, with all stakeholders convinced Sky Sports are offering the best deal for the Super League competition.
It would see the partnership with Sky Sports extend for a further three years, until the end of the 2026 season – which would include the 30th anniversary of the launch of Super League’s partnership with Sky Sports for the inaugural season in 1996.
Under the proposed deal, the partnership would include the live broadcast of every Super League fixture, to the UK and worldwide – a transformative development for the competition. This would also allow for video match officials to be appointed for every match.
There would also be the continuation of a free-to-air window.
Further details will be shared on the conclusion of the negotiating period.”
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