The situation around TV coverage of Super League is dramatically different to what it was a year ago.
A year ago, the sport understood that the TV deals with Sky Sports, Channel 4 and Viaplay were all due to expire at the end of 2023. Meanwhile, BBC’s contract was also due to expire in 2024.
After talks with Dazn and TNT Sports, formerly known as BT Sports, RL Commercial and IMG agreed a ground breaking deal with Sky Sports worth just over £20 million in a slight reduction to the amount agreed previously.
This agreement saw Sky Sports agree to show every game in Super League under the condition that they could agree a free to air deal.
This saw talk with Channel 4 but BBC are set to agree a deal to show Super League fixtures on Saturday evenings at 18:00 on BBC Two.
Serious About Rugby League understand that this deal is close to completion.
How can I watch Super League?
Hull FC v Wigan Warriors Betfred Super League 04/05/2023. Sky Sports Presenter and former rugby league international Brian Carney during the Betfred Super League match between Hull FC and Wigan Warriors at the MKM Stadium
Rugby League Commercial (RLC) has announced a new global streaming service called SuperLeague+. The service will allow fans worldwide to stream live all 167 matches from the 2024 Betfred Super League season, starting with the season opener between Hull FC and Hull KR on Thursday, February 15. SuperLeague+ is powered by Endeavor Streaming, a sister company of IMG, and marks the next phase of IMG’s long-term strategic partnership with RLC to revamp the sport in the UK.
In the UK and Republic of Ireland, domestic fans will have access to 106 live games on SuperLeague+, with the remaining 61 games available on-demand. The live coverage in the UK will begin on Friday, February 16 with the match between St Helens and London Broncos, followed by Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants, both kicking off at 8pm UK time. The launch of SuperLeague+ is expected to drive the digital transformation of the sport, diversify its media strategy, and reach new audiences worldwide.
Thanks to the groundbreaking deal agreed with Sky Sports last year, all six matches in each of the 27 weekly rounds of the men’s Super League through the 2024 season – a total of 162 games – will be broadcast on a variety of platforms. Sky Sports will retain exclusive live coverage of two fixtures in each round and the new OTT platform, SuperLeague+, will offer live coverage of the remaining matches.
