News Ltd are reporting that Nine have decided to call the Vegas games from the Sydney studios.
Only Danika Mason, Johnathon Thurston and Paul Gallen are being sent across, along with Karl Stefanovic who will reportedly co-host Today from Vegas.
A shame but not surprising.
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Is this the smartest move though? If Nine want the complete rights for Nine and Stan and the contract negotiations are starting soon with the NRL, wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity to show V’Landys they’re committed to bringing the best quality broadcast to the fans?
Fox call games remotely all the time. It’s just the usual hypocrisy from Fox.
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It was written in the article that admittedly fox have been guilty of this too. But for an event this size you’d want be there.
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Also includes comments from Seven.
While Channel 7’s Director of Sport Chris Jones explained why they always send callers to AFL and cricket games they’re broadcasting. “Being on-site…allows us to bring the energy and atmosphere of the stadiums directly to viewers at home," he said.
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The Vegas lark is quite stupid and a V’Landys junket trip - the NRL is trying to make this an event but it’s really just Australians and Kiwis spending a long weekend in Sin City.
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It’s more so promoting g the game back here, it’s a big deal that they are playing regular season games in Vegas it put the NRL on the front and back pages and drew interest.
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They’re trying to get a slice of the American sports betting market.
Albeit a very small slice, more like a few crumbs.
Yep - it’s pretty grim to court it like this
V ‘Landys was absolutely smashed in parliament this week (under privilege) by Mark Latham who called him a gangster among other things. TBH I think league needs to get away from him and get back to the basics first.
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Is this the same Mark Latham who got upset at a name on an honour board recently? Not sure why people bother listening to him.
Wouldn’t be the first time he’s gone after V’Landys from Cowards Castle either.
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Honestly he gets things done and we haven’t had that in Rugby League for a long time. I think he’s been good for the game since coming on board. He’s no spud.
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That’s him. 
Also the same Mark Latham who wore a dirty polo and oversized shorts to the PM’s XI in Canberra nine years ago
On balance, he’s probably been a net good for the game - but he has made some clangers on the way (imho)
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Details of Coverage on Sunday March 2 AEDT (live all markets; see schedule for market variations)
11:00 AM NRL 2025 Season Preview
Join James Bracey, Cameron Smith, Andrew Johns, Billy Slater, Allana Ferguson and Brad Fittler for the ultimate NRL season preview. Our experts reveal all their tips, tricks and bold predictions for the season ahead, including live crosses to Danika Mason, Johnathan Thurston, Paul Gallen and Karl Stefanovic in Las Vegas
01:00 PM NRLW : Jillaroos V Lionesses - Las Vegas
Wide World of Sports presents the NRLW live from Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas - Jillaroos v Lionesses. Join our expert commentary team for all the action, analysis and post match interviews. Kick off at 1:15PM AEDT.
03:00 PM NRL Sunday Footy - Las Vegas Pre Show
The NRL Premiership kicks off on American soil at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas. Wide World of Sports presents Sunday Footy LIVE Panthers v Sharks. Join our expert commentary team for all the action, analysis and post match interviews. Kick off at 3:30PM AEDT.
03:30 PM NRL Sunday Footy - Las Vegas Panthers v Sharks
The NRL Premiership kicks off on American soil at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas. Wide World of Sports presents Sunday Footy Live - Panthers v Sharks. Join our expert commentary team for all the action, analysis and post match interviews. Kick off at 3:30PM AEDT.
05:30 PM NRL Sunday Footy - Las Vegas Post-Match
Join the Wide World of Sports team for the all the post-match news and analysis of the NRL Premiership kicking off for on American soil in Las Vegas.
Rise of the Dolphins
Monday 3 March 9:00 PM
Sydney, Brisbane
‘Rise Of The Dolphins’ continues the story of Australia’s newest rugby league team, The NRL Dolphins, as they navigate their final season under the legendary Wayne Bennett and build momentum to conquer their cross town rival.
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Rise of the Dolphins is the continuation of Dawn of the Dolphins documentary which was produced for Stan.
Part of Rise of the Dolphins was filmed at a trial game between the Capras and the Dolphins in Gladstone earlier this month.
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NRL on Nine in a league of its own – more brands than ever before take advantage of the ultimate marketing platform
As the 2025 Telstra NRL Premiership season kicks off this weekend in Las Vegas, more brands than ever before have partnered with Nine across its unrivalled connected content rugby league ecosystem of Total TV, Total Audio and Total Publishing.
With more than 145 games live and free on the 9Network, including the jewels in the NRL crown – the exclusive men’s and women’s State of Origin and the blockbuster men’s Finals series – as well as an extended NRLW series from 48 to 74 games, Nine’s NRL ecosystem gives brands unparalleled access to a diverse audience at scale.
NRL on Nine provides brands with an increasing number of platforms to connect with rugby league fans through Nine’s 24/7 content and conversations, including new linear magazine show ‘Freddy & The Eighth’ as well as the iconic Wide World of Sports every Sunday, through to podcasts, 9Now specials and Nine Radio’s WWOS Continuous Call Team.
Nine’s full NRL coverage last year reached a Total TV audience of 16.7 million viewers, with the Men’s State of Origin Series reaching 9.4 million Australians, up 17% YoY across Total TV. The Women’s State of Origin Series Total TV reach was 4.3 million, up 72% YoY as the series went from two to three games.
Nine’s NRL coverage is underpinned by an ecosystem that is connected and allows advertisers to maximise their campaign execution by weaving it across Australia’s most powerful marketing platform. By utilising Nine’s talent and Wide World of Sports content, all audiences across the ecosystem are delivered in a where, how and when manner allowing brands to engage seamlessly.
This year will see Ford and Red Bull join returning partners Harvey Norman, Telstra, McDonalds, Westpac, Sportsbet, Youi Insurance, Kia and sponsors Chemist Warehouse, Isuzu UTE and Rexona.
“Over the last five years, WWOS has continued to evolve its unrivalled sport mega marketing platform, with a clear focus on delivering the best-in-class sporting assets and solutions for brands. This year’s new, growing and returning partners across our rugby league assets are again testament to that. The role sport content plays in Australians’ lives continues to evolve and grow. At Nine, we are leading the connection of fans and brands in a way no other media company can,” said Matt Granger, Nine’s Director of Sales – Sport, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Anne Gruber, Director of Content Partnerships – Sport, Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “We have evolved our NRL proposition, driving focus on the success and effectiveness of our cross-platform ecosystem partnerships. In 2025, there will be more league content and more opportunities to contextually connect with audiences from February through to November’s Pacific Championships. Brands can leverage the ‘always on’ conversation seven days a week, 24/7 through Broadcast TV and 9Now magazine shows, match day broadcasts, Nine Radio’s Continuous Call team, live blogs, WWOS.com articles and NRL on Nine social content. In essence, it’s a 10 month marketing campaign across every touchpoint of Nine’s suite of assets.”
The 9Network’s NRL season kicks off this Sunday, March 2 with two huge games from Las Vegas, with an international between the Australian Jillaroos v England Women, and the NRL Premiership clash between Cronulla Sharks v Penrith Panthers.
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I think this is the first time that three rival car manufacturers have signed up to sponsor Nine’s NRL coverage.
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