TV RIGHTS KICK OFF

[Beaussie]

Terrible timing for the NRL.


NRL’s $4 billion broadcast dream in jeopardy with gambling ads crackdown

https://www.zerotackle.com/nrls-4-billi ... wn-232397/

The government recently implemented measures around gambling ads and promotion.

KYE FERREIRA
WRITER | APRIL 8, 2026 - 10:50AM

A leading sports media rights expert says the federal government's sweeping gambling advertising crackdown has torpedoed any realistic prospect of a record-breaking broadcast deal for the NRL, even as the league's chief insists the sky has never been bluer.

Last Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a sweeping package of reforms targeting betting agencies, capping TV advertisements at three per hour, restricting the spruiking of odds during live commentary, and banning gambling promotions from stadiums and jerseys alike.

Existing TV code of practice rules already prohibit gambling advertising during live sports between 5am and 8:30pm.

None of it appears to have dampened the enthusiasm of Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys, who was again flogging the prospect of a $4 billion, five-year deal over the weekend.

The Australian reported V'landys "leaked" figures, claiming a record 25 million viewers have tuned in across Nine and Foxtel through the opening four rounds of the 2026 season, and V'landys declared the next broadcast agreement, covering the 2028 season onwards, would be wrapped up "in the next two to three months."

Lachlan Gepp sees things differently. A partner at law firm Hamilton Locke and a veteran of major media rights negotiations spanning professional sports, racing bodies, wagering companies and TV networks, Gepp believes the NRL has "next to no chance" of eclipsing the AFL's landmark $3.5 billion, seven-year deal struck with Seven and Foxtel.

"The next [NRL] broadcasting deal was already facing stiff challenges due to a soft television advertising market and lack of genuine competitive tension in the buyer pool," he told Mumbrella.

"There'll be less ad spots for the broadcasters to sell, meaning there'll be less advertising revenue coming into the broadcasters. Any dollar that is lost from gambling advertising revenue to the broadcasters will ultimately be worn by the codes, because their media rights deals will be worth less.

"I can't see the NRL getting close to the current AFL broadcast deal in terms of annual value.”

The landscape today looks considerably less hospitable with tighter ad budgets, a shrinking pool of gambling dollars and mounting uncertainty around exactly when and how the new restrictions will bite.

Gepp floated the possibility that the NRL executives "might even be considering a short-term rollover with existing partners" before returning to the table in a few years "when macroeconomic conditions have stabilised or improved".

Whatever path they choose, V'landys will feel the heat to get something done before year's end.

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

V'landys "leaked" figures, claiming a record 25 million viewers have tuned in across Nine and Foxtel through the opening four rounds of the 2026 season,


So Temu Pete gets access to secret figures no one gets access to!

[Beaussie]

Yeah i too thought that leaking of the figures revelation was hilarious.

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

Yeah i too thought that leaking of the figures revelation was hilarious.

The NRL gets secret tv ratings that no one else gets, not even the AFL, TV or rating agency excs

[leeroy*NRL*]

one bloke coming out calling doom and gloom...

the stats matter>>
Approx 150mill was spent on Gambling advertising on ALL SPORTS IN AUSTRALIA
across all sports nationally..

how much do you recan NRL or AFL got from this annually in advertising through ch7 fox and ch9
what $50mill max each at best and the rest of other sports got the rest.
it is a small dent in advertising

50mill can be replaced with other advertising for the AFL and NRL>>>
and if they do not get 50mill they get 45mill from other sponsors..

The bloke is a knob (they call him Lachlan Gepp)