Rugby League set for new broadcasters in 2024 after shock development

Big clubs like Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and of course Super League and World Champions St Helens as well as clubs down at the bottom of the rugby league pyramid are having to deal with a great deal of uncertainty at the moment.

Part of this is due to the changes IMG are set to make to the sport which are yet to properly come into effect but clubs will receive a dummy grade to guide them on this journey.

However, importantly from a financial point of view, there is still no TV deal secured for next year.

So 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.

However this will not be the case with the broadcasters set to see out the rest of the season but with their contract expiring at the end of the year anyway they will now be looking to renew their contract and therefore the Championship will head to a new home in terms of TV coverage.

It remains to be seen where this home is. In the past it has featured on Sky Sports and of course Premier Sports which then became Viaplay ahead of this year.

Could it be as simple as a greater focus on OurLeague streaming with the app frequently streaming games from the lower leagues and having taken on coverage of three Hull FC games?

It seems like a smart option but perhaps this great competition deserves to be brought to a wider audience.

A decision on the TV deal is set to be decided next week. Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN are all said to be interested in the right to Super League.

But the Championship will certainly have new broadcasters.