The futures of the biggest clubs like Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens are all in the balance at the moment with a new era creeping up on us.
At the end of this year Super League clubs will receive their initial grades from IMG.
This won’t have an immediate impact upon them but will highlight what they need to do ahead of the 2024 season to ensure a strong chance of a place in Super League in 2024.
On top of this, financially things could be about to change because of the TV deal with Sky Sports, Channel 4 and Viaplay’s deals set to expire.
However, in a shocking twist it has been reported by sport business that Viaplay have suffered massive losses of over $500 million.
They are also set to leave the UK market with Sport Business reporting:
“Viaplay is to exit the UK, US and Baltics markets and make 25 per cent of its employees redundant as part of massive cost-cutting measures, the Nordic media giant announced today.”
It has been suggested that this could end immediately their coverage of the Championship.
This all wraps up into big questions over the future of rugby league broadcasting.
It has been a major talking point for months now and was addressed earlier this year by RL Commercial’s Rhodri Jones.
“Next two to three weeks I would say and then after that we can then develop the calendar four to six weeks hopefully,” he said on BBC Five Live.
“We’ve got multiple broadcasters interested.”
Asked if there will be an increase in broadcast revenue, Jones said: “We’ll have to see where we land.”
“I think on the Broadcast deal, we’ve been so reliant on one number coming from one broadcaster.
“We’re one of very few sports competitions that don’t stream every game.
“I think the mix of the broadcast platform for us going forward is going to look different. So maybe less emphasis on that one number that we get from the main broadcaster and maybe the culmination of the total means that we come out in a better position.”
In a huge surprise twist however, reports from the Daily Mail today have claimed that officials at the RFL are disappointed with the offer from Sky, a £25 million per year contract and TNT Sport have emerged as a potential contender.
Previously known as BT Sport, the newly named TNT Sports are the home of the Champions League in football as well as having rights to Premier League football.
According to the Daily Mail, TNT are now “a big threat” to Sky’s coverage of the sport.
Serious About Rugby League can now confirm that the RFL has received more than one bid for the rights to the sport in 2024.
Warrington Wolves
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