Fans will get to watch more Rugby in 2016, with the Australian Rugby Union today announcing a new and significantly bigger media rights arrangement with Fox Sports, and Network Ten, form 2016-2020.
The improved deal will see Fox Sports continue as the home of Rugby in Australia and the only place to watch 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 Live
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.
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 one hour 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.
