Talking Footy

AFL negotiated, and take/took less to have local teams in northern states broadcast live but I believe this allowed for secondary channel to be used - there has been an increasing number of games being shown live on the main channel - particularly last year, up here in South East Queensland I believe though - with the Suns on the rise and Lions continuing success, this may continue. But yes, it is all about the ratings.

Fred wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 10:56 am

AFL negotiated, and take/took less to have local teams in northern states broadcast live but I believe this allowed for secondary channel to be used - there has been an increasing number of games being shown live on the main channel - particularly last year, up here in South East Queensland I believe though - with the Suns on the rise and Lions continuing success, this may continue. But yes, it is all about the ratings.

there is no evidence that the AFL took less to have games played in northern markets on main channel.
in fact tv deals sky rocked..
it was a deal what the AFL wanted and the network that bought the deal had to do it within its means.

that is what makes this NRL deal very very interesting...
it will be the first time in a long time, the NRL will have just as much teams as the AFL
with Tasmania entering in 2028 >>> 19 teams
and Perth & Png entering in 27/28 >>> 19 teams

the tv deal will have an equal meaning..

AFL 2025 to 2031
NRL 2028 to 2032 (predicted 5 year deal)
and they become aligned

TV boss in major declaration in bid to poach NRL rights

Is NRL set for a new home on free-to-air television when the current rights deal ends in 2027?

Currently broadcast by Channel 9 and Fox, the NRL is set to enter a new round of negotiations, with Ch 7, Ch 10 and streaming giants believed to be preparing bids.

Having already secured the rights to this year’s rugby league world cup, Channel 7 boss Chris Jones have said he will initiate talks with NRL Chairman Peter V’landys about expanding the network’s league delivery.

“The Rugby League World Cup comes at the end of this year,” Jones told Kane Cornes on SEN’s Locked In. “We’re terribly excited about that and it sits in a beautiful slot.

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 3:12 pm

Fred wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 10:56 am

AFL negotiated, and take/took less to have local teams in northern states broadcast live but I believe this allowed for secondary channel to be used - there has been an increasing number of games being shown live on the main channel - particularly last year, up here in South East Queensland I believe though - with the Suns on the rise and Lions continuing success, this may continue. But yes, it is all about the ratings.

there is no evidence that the AFL took less to have games played in northern markets on main channel.
in fact tv deals sky rocked..
it was a deal what the AFL wanted and the network that bought the deal had to do it within its means.

Why would you pay top dollar for something and show it in a secondary channel

makingnrlfansgowacko wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 5:20 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 3:12 pm

Fred wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 10:56 am

AFL negotiated, and take/took less to have local teams in northern states broadcast live but I believe this allowed for secondary channel to be used - there has been an increasing number of games being shown live on the main channel - particularly last year, up here in South East Queensland I believe though - with the Suns on the rise and Lions continuing success, this may continue. But yes, it is all about the ratings.

there is no evidence that the AFL took less to have games played in northern markets on main channel.
in fact tv deals sky rocked..
it was a deal what the AFL wanted and the network that bought the deal had to do it within its means.

Why would you pay top dollar for something and show it in a secondary channel

Are you serious ??? because it does not rate ... that is what we are talking about...

AFL is mostly not shown on the main channels in 58% of the country because why ? it does not rate.

they payed top dollar for the product.. even if they have to offset it by showing it north of boarder
it is still worth it to get the rights locked in overall

especially 7 years of content>>>

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 3:15 pm

that is what makes this NRL deal very very interesting...
it will be the first time in a long time, the NRL will have just as much teams as the AFL
with Tasmania entering in 2028 >>> 19 teams
and Perth & Png entering in 27/28 >>> 19 teams

the tv deal will have an equal meaning..

AFL 2025 to 2031
NRL 2028 to 2032 (predicted 5 year deal)
and they become aligned

thats an article for 2015 many years ago yes, but mentions the worth of the SOO
State of Origin valued at $100 million a year as free-to-air networks prepare for bidding way

THE jewel in rugby league’s crown, State of Origin, has been valued at a whopping $100 million a year as the free-to-air networks prepare to go to war.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 8c71947a3d

so how much is SOO worth today and the internatiojal rep stuff compared to the H&A season. the AFL basically has the H&A season and pre season practice games

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 5:23 pm

makingnrlfansgowacko wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 5:20 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 3:12 pm

there is no evidence that the AFL took less to have games played in northern markets on main channel.
in fact tv deals sky rocked..
it was a deal what the AFL wanted and the network that bought the deal had to do it within its means.

Why would you pay top dollar for something and show it in a secondary channel

Are you serious ??? because it does not rate ... that is what we are talking about...

AFL is mostly not shown on the main channels in 58% of the country because why ? it does not rate.

they payed top dollar for the product.. even if they have to offset it by showing it north of boarder
it is still worth it to get the rights locked in overall

especially 7 years of content>>>

yes its been proven secondary channels do not rate as well as the main channels do