ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the NRL will formally commence its new broadcast rights negotiations at the conclusion of the 2025 Ashes Test series next month.
In a wide ranging interview with The Australian Financial Review, V’landys re-iterated his position that the NRL is looking to secure a broadcast deal bigger than the $4.5 billion agreement signed by cross-code rivals the AFL in 2022.
“The deal will be record-breaking because we built the game up and doubled our audience,” V’landys said.
“The NRL is in a premium position right now.”
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While confident of inking a bumper agreement for the next broadcast cycle that begins in 2028, V’landys also sought to appease worried rugby league fans.
V’landys explained that regardless of who the next broadcast partners are, the ARLC is determined that any new deal will not see even more games lost beyond expensive paywalls.
“NRL customers are already paying more for subscriptions as naturally Foxtel and Kayo have increased subscriptions due to the increase in payments to the AFL,” he said.
“Customers need to be able to afford the NRL.
“We are looking at making money from extra markets—New Zealand, England, the United States and Papua New Guinea—we don’t want our fans in Australia paying more to watch rugby league.”
In separate negotiations, Channel Seven is reported to have secured the broadcast rights to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup with the network outbidding DAZN (new owners of Foxtel) and Nine Entertainment.