NRL keen for early start on TV talks

[David Bird]

NEGOTIATIONS for the most critical broadcasting deal in rugby league history are likely to begin early in the new year - almost two years before the current rights expire.

The Herald understands NRL powerbrokers can begin their much-anticipated discussions with the current free-to-air broadcaster, Channel Nine, from January 1. It is believed Nine has a 90-day window in which only that network can be part of the talks - after which the NRL can then start negotiating with the other networks.

Given the strength of the game and the uncertainty over salary cap changes - as well as the awareness that the AFL's television rights deal expires a year before that of the NRL - it is likely the rugby league figures involved in the negotiations will push for a start as early after New Year's Day as possible.

Brisbane Times

[digitalj]

Personally, I would like to see TEN get the NRL, they might be able to put all 8 games on and have half on ONE HD and argue that had any other network got the rights, half or more would've gone straight to fox sports and therefore might be able to get exempt for half of the games of having to show on the main SD channel at the same time or earlier than on ONE HD.

[Mark]

I'd prefer Ten/ONE and Fox Sports too.

Anyone bar Seven and their shockingly blocky HD channel

[David Bird]

Originally Posted by Mark

Anyone bar Seven and their shockingly blocky HD channel

Don't knock 7, I watch them once a year.......... I wish One would get back Bathurst.

[EGR]

Ten wont have enough cash because they are bound to 7 for AFL and basically Kerry Stokes will not want to loose the AFL again but for Seven that means compromise as they cant do both AFL and ARL (since the comps name will revert back ARL) and keep V8 Supercars which means Ten (ONE) should get the V8's back, which is a good and bad thing at the same time as ONE will no doubt be pushing for exclusive live coverage via HD and not SD.

Personally, Channel 09 no longer deserve the NRL and neither do Fox Sports, 7 and Bigpond could do a far better job and have the ability to do so because they are not pushing separate agendas like News limited and Nine are doing.

[digitalj]

But 7 have demonstrated they have no interest in producing most sports in HD, also, even if they did do HD, if they do DD 5.1, PRIME will downmix it as they don't broadcast 5.1, 3ch only

[digitalj]

oops, meant 2ch in the above post, not 3ch.

[Mark]

Seven can't even do the AFL right, which means Nine and FOX will win both AFL and NRL.

[noel]

This is why the TV stations are pushing the Feds hard to allow them to use their no2 SD channels to show sport.Melb 9hd AFL
9GO ARL, Sydney 9hd ARL 9GO AFL and so on