When Sky Sports, BBC, Channel 4 and Viaplay TV deals expire

This is a huge year for rugby league.

In March IMG will reveal their grading criteria for their new licencing approach to Super League as they re-imagine the sport.

On top of this they are also trying to boost social media reach of the sport.

All of this comes as the sport rides the wave of the Rugby League World Cup which brought the game to new audiences across the country both live and on TV.

But perhaps most important of all is the Sky TV deal.

It is common knowledge that this year is the final year of the Sky TV deal which leaves many believing that it is key year for the sport to ensure that they can secure a strong TV deal for the 2024 and beyond and with this financially sustain the sport.

However, this year could be an even bigger year for the sport than you might know from a TV perspective.

Here is when every current TV deal expires in rugby league.

Sky Sports: 2023
This one is commonly known. Sky Sports agreed a two-year deal in 2021 for the coverage of Super League and that expires in 2023. This came after a seven year deal which started in 2014.

Channel 4: 2023
Ahead of the 2022 season Channel 4 agreed a deal to cover 10 Super League games a season for two seasons. Many people have been blown away by their coverage and they are even showing the World Club Challenge. Their deal expires at the end of the year but many are hopeful of an increased involvement in 2024.

Viaplay: 2023
Viaplay, then Premier Sports, started showing the Championship and some Challenge Cup games in 2022 also signing a two season deal which expires at the end of the year.

BBC: 2024
In December 2020, the BBC agreed a deal to continue their coverage of the Challenge Cup up until the end of 2024. So the future of the Challenge Cup won’t be decided until next year.