Rugby League TV deal could be set for major change as vital discussions held

Sky Sports is the home of Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow’s historic Grand Final try, the amazing comeback from Wigan Warriors in 2007, Wide to West at St Helens and many more of rugby league’s greatest moments but its place as the continued home of rugby league in this country has been question in recent weeks and months.

This year the TV deals with Sky Sports, Channel 4 and Viaplay all expire meaning there was an opportunity for other broadcasters to purchase the rights.

This morning reports did the rounds from Rugby League Live that a slightly reduced deal with Sky Sports had been agreed.

It was also reported that there is a meeting this afternoon between clubs. However, the future of the TV deal depends on this meeting and is not yet final.

One major development and massive positive is the fact the sport is working to get every game televised in the future and as well as video referees at every fixture which has been trial run at OurLeague fixtures.

This would be a major positive and add value to the deal.

It is true that the TV deal has long been spoken about

Speaking in the past about it, RL Commercial’s Rhodri Jones outlined the situation: “We’ve got multiple broadcasters interested.

“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.”

It is clear that there were other parties interested other than Sky Sports. Reports emerged in the past from the Daily Mail claiming that officials at the RFL were disappointed with the offer from Sky, a £25 million per year contract and TNT Sport 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.

However, the reports now suggest Sky have secured the rights with a £20 million per year deal.