New Zealanders to See National Rugby League this Season after New Sky Deal

February 17, 2012

The Australian Rugby League Commission and Sky Television have agreed one-year extension to their existing broadcasting contract, guaranteeing the 2012 National Rugby League season will be telecast live in New Zealand.

The agreement also covers the annual three-match State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland plus the one-off trans-Tasman test which is to be played in October.

The newly-formed commission can now press ahead with the negotiations for a new television deal encompassing Australia – a priority once the code’s new governing body came into power last week.

“With the Warriors kicking off the season with a Grand Final replay at Eden Park on March 4 (against Manly) this is a real boost for New Zealand fans,” said commission chief executive David Gallop.

“Over 700,000 New Zealanders tuned in to watch Kiwi teams in all three Grand Final day matches last year and we were always confident that we would be able to reach an interim agreement for 2012.”

Sky Television chief executive John Fellett added: “I think all New Zealand sports fans will be happy to know that we now have a firm deal for 2012 and the opportunity to negotiate longer term contracts in the months ahead.”

by Ismail Uddin