7/Fox will work like their AFL and Cricket deals. With 7 produced Saturday games from Round 15 onwards in 2025, Super Rugby and the Wallabies could get eyeballs in the southern states with a game on 7/7mate.
The big ones are the 2025 Lions Tour, 2027 and 2029 World Cups. 7 are keen for a big sporting event with no Olympics, Melbourne Cup or Tennis for the foreseeable future in their sports offerings.
New Rugby Australia chair Daniel Herbert will be on Grandstand on ABC Local Radio this afternoon, chatting with host Quentin Hull. I am sure a new broadcast deal will be mentioned.
Could 10 / Paramount + be interested ?
Remote chance and 10/P+ are looking at renewing their Socceroos/A-League coverage
When’s that up for renewal?
FA rights end next year and then the A leagues the year or two after that.
They could diversify the offering on P+ and add the rugby. It’s not like they’ve got that much content. Despite the state of Australian rugby they would still attract the affluent subscribers given the demographics of the sport. The private school, leather patches on tweed jackets, chinos and rn Williams brigade.
Stan has renewed the rights for the UCL for another 3 seasons and lost out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
9/ Stan have done a good job with the Rugby. Having one game per week on FTA has been great for Rugby fans, Stan Sport is a good platform as it’s easy to catch up on highlights and the whole commentary team have done well IMO.
With the B&I lions tour and 2027 World Cup coming up, it will be a good opportunity for Rugby to gain more viewers and bums on seats at Super Rugby matches, even if the Waratahs are having a bad season and the Rebels future being uncertain. There is still room to grow the game in Australia. If the Wallabies can start winning it might also equate to higher ratings for 9.