Channel 4’s coverage of Super League in doubt

[josie andrews]

Since their first game between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves, Channel 4 has shown some huge game starting this year with the World Club Challenge as well as the clash between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors to kick off the season in brilliant fashion.

Their coverage is beloved across the sport with Adam Hills and Helen Skelton’s involvement is beloved by all.

They have been home to some great games over the last two years but their role in the sport is in question.

Their deal, along Sky Sports and Viaplay, is expiring at the end of 2023.

This year, it was confirmed that Sky Sports are set to agree a new deal for three years.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that there will be a window for free to air negotiations to take place meaning Channel 4 are set for a huge negotiations to keep the rights.

This means they face a fight for the rights should over channels express interest.

The following statement has been made by Super League:

“Following a meeting of RL Commercial, IMG and Super League (Europe) Shareholders, RL Commercial will now enter a 30-day exclusive negotiating period with Sky Sports to formalise and contract the broadcast rights agreement.

This follows a period of activity in the market that saw multiple bids tabled for the rights, with all stakeholders convinced Sky Sports are offering the best deal for the Super League competition.

“It would see the partnership with Sky Sports extend for a further three years, until the end of the 2026 season – which would include the 30th anniversary of the launch of Super League’s partnership with Sky Sports for the inaugural season in 1996.

“Under the proposed deal, the partnership would include the live broadcast of every Super League fixture, to the UK and worldwide – a transformative development for the competition. This would also allow for video match officials to be appointed for every match. There would also be the continuation of a free-to-air window.

Further details will be shared on the conclusion of the negotiating period.”

The TV deal has long been spoken about

Speaking in the past about it, RL Commercial’s Rhodri Jones outlined the situation: “We’ve got multiple broadcasters interested.

We’ll have to see where we land. I think on the Broadcast deal, we’ve been so reliant on one number coming from one broadcaster.

“We’re one of very few sports competitions that don’t stream every game.

“I think the mix of the broadcast platform for us going forward is going to look different. So maybe less emphasis on that one number that we get from the main broadcaster and maybe the culmination of the total means that we come out in a better position.”

It is clear that there were other parties interested other than Sky Sports. Reports emerged in the past from the Daily Mail claiming that officials at the RFL were disappointed with the offer from Sky, a £25 million per year contract and TNT Sport emerged as a potential contender.

Previously known as BT Sport, the newly named TNT Sports are the home of the Champions League in football as well as having rights to Premier League football.

According to the Daily Mail, TNT are now “a big threat” to Sky’s coverage of the sport

However, the reports now suggest Sky have secured the rights with a £20 million per year deal.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/channel- ... ubt-80746/

[josie andrews]

Revealed: How many free-to-air Super League games will be broadcast in 2024

AS Super League 2023 winds down towards the play-offs with just five games left of the regular season, the television deal for 2024 and beyond has been agreed.

A three-year deal with broadcasting giants Sky Sports will come into being from 2024 onwards, with a video referee at each Super League game.

League Express understands that Sky Sports cameras will actually be present at every Super League fixture next season, but not all of those will be broadcast live on the broadcast.

Instead, free-to-air broadcasters will be able to use the Sky Sports cameras in order to enhance their own coverage.

At present, RL Commercial has entered a 30-day exclusive negotiating period with Sky Sports in order to formalise and contract the broadcast rights agreement after the involved parties came to a deal for the foreseeable future.

Though it remains to be seen how many live Super League games will be broadcast on Sky Sports, League Express can reveal that there will be 17 free-to-air games in 2024.

Whether all those games will be broadcast on Channel 4 or if the sport’s own streaming channel, Our League, will be involved is uncertain as things stand.

There is also the possibility of a streaming channel outside of Channel 4 and Our League to perhaps experiment with their own rugby league fix with Amazon Prime, DAZN and TNT Sports just some of those that have expressed an interest in the past.

https://www.totalrl.com/revealed-how-ma ... t-in-2024/

[pedro]

not really bothered if sky are going to show every game, they obviously wasnt that bothered other wise they would have stumped up some cash

[fozzieskem]

Chanel 4 should be paying for coverage for me all very well giving away product for free but bills need paying and fresh air isn't a currency

[pedro]

Chanel 4 should be paying for coverage for me all very well giving away product for free but bills need paying and fresh air isn't a currency

exactly

[moto748]

I didn't read anything in the above to lead me to think that Channel 4 would be getting anything for free. Why should Sky give them free hand-outs?

[fozzieskem]

I didn't read anything in the above to lead me to think that Channel 4 would be getting anything for free. Why should Sky give them free hand-outs?

The current deal channel 4 don’t pay for but going forward they darn tooting well should do