Sky Sports reportedly set to hold monopoly over every Super League fixture

The future of clubs like Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens were up in the air until an agreement was made over the sport’s next TV deal.

That has now finally emerged with RL Commercial entering into an exclusive 30 day negotiating period with Sky Sports with a three year deal set to be agreed between the two parties expected to be of the value of over £20 million, a slight reduction from the last TV deal agreed with Sky.

In a crucial difference to this one is the fact every game will be televised with a video referee.

On this Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks claimed that every game would be available on Sky Sports platforms which is a new deal.

The following statement has been made by Super League:

“Following a meeting of RL Commercial, IMG and Super League (Europe) Shareholders, RL Commercial will now enter a 30-day exclusive negotiating period with Sky Sports to formalise and contract the broadcast rights agreement.

“This follows a period of activity in the market that saw multiple bids tabled for the rights, with all stakeholders convinced Sky Sports are offering the best deal for the Super League competition.

“It would see the partnership with Sky Sports extend for a further three years, until the end of the 2026 season – which would include the 30th anniversary of the launch of Super League’s partnership with Sky Sports for the inaugural season in 1996.

“Under the proposed deal, the partnership would include the live broadcast of every Super League fixture, to the UK and worldwide – a transformative development for the competition. This would also allow for video match officials to be appointed for every match. There would also be the continuation of a free-to-air window.

“Further details will be shared on the conclusion of the negotiating period.”

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.