IMG strike again to land Super League six international broadcast deals

[josie andrews]

Rugby League Commercial have announced that they have secured six international broadcast deals for the upcoming Super League season, meaning more and more fans around the world can engage with Europe’s elite rugby league competition.

In an off-season that has already seen huge strides made in terms of broadcast deals domestically, it’s another step towards putting rugby league on the global map and making it a viably commercial sport.

The impact of IMG and their work alongside Rugby League Commercial in the past six months has been nothing short of incredible, and today’s confirmation adds weight to that.

A statement from Rugby League Commercial announced the news.

“Rugby League Commercial today announced a set of six international broadcast agreements for the forthcoming Betfred Super League season, delivered through the sport’s long-term strategic partnership with IMG, taking the competition to its largest ever national and international audience in 2024.

“The agreements – with Fox Sports and NITV in Australia, Fox Sports in the US, Rogers Media in Canada, Premier Sports Asia and ESPN Africa – follow the recently announced deals for Catalans Dragons fixtures in France and Spain with L’Equipe and TV3.

“With an existing deal with Sportsmax in the Caribbean already agreed by RDA to run until 2026, Betfred Super League fixtures will be broadcast in five continents.

“And that’s in addition to the launch of SuperLeague+, the sport’s new global direct-to-consumer streaming platform which will be available everywhere in the world except Australia – including the US, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and throughout the Pacific.”

“IMG have delivered” – Super League set to be seen by millions

The new deals to view the game worldwide come in line with the Sky Sports deal that has seen the broadcaster commit to showing every game for the next three seasons.

There has also been the introduction and creation of Super League+ where fans can watch all games for no more than £120 per season, with season ticket holders landing the deal at just £99.

On today’s announcement, Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of RL Commercial, said: “The visibility of the Betfred Super League will reach new levels at home and abroad this season.

“The new three-year broadcast partnership with Sky Sports has delivered coverage of every match for the first time, allowing us to launch SuperLeague+ as a global streaming platform, and our domestic audience will be further boosted by the new agreement with the BBC including coverage of Super League as well as the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Challenge Cups.

“Now, our long-term strategic partnership with IMG has delivered a range of overseas broadcast agreements. With every match now being covered, Fox Sports will be able to show many more matches to Australian Rugby League fans – and the deal with SBS and National Indigenous Television secures free-to-air coverage in Australia for the first time.

“We are also delighted that IMG have concluded deals with Fox Sports in the US, Rogers Media in Canada, Premier Sports Asia and ESPN Africa – while in all those cases, SuperLeague+ will remain available for fans who want to watch live coverage of every match, and is also a great new option for league fans in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and throughout the Pacific who want to follow the international stars in our competition.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/img-stri ... als-88098/

[the pieman]

this sounds a real positive step

however, what are the commercial terms for it (for the clubs and the wider game over here) and the proof of success will also be if they get renewed (next season) because they have a strong following abroad

as long as its not an Eddie Stobart type agreement, then there must be a positive impact on the game

[Mike]

Would have had a stronger following in Canada and US without killing the possibility of teams from those regions making it into SL. NRL are probably using their first forrays into the US to see if they can fill that void in the huge North American market. Yes, you can't expect to get a profile like NFL, or even NHL, or even MLS, but any tiny dent you can make would be significant in terms of the whole game's revenue.

[endoman]

Be interesting to see if I can find it on Fox when I'm out in the US in a couple of weeks. Be great to watch and educate some colleagues.

[Mike]

It's been on FoxSoccerPlus for the last few years. Actually better than Sky in some respects because I can stream it to phone or wherever and on sky you have to be home to watch a recorded game. So perhaps these deals are not as "new" as IMG want us to believe.

[moto748]

It's been on FoxSoccerPlus for the last few years. Actually better than Sky in some respects because I can stream it to phone or wherever and on sky you have to be home to watch a recorded game. So perhaps these deals are not as "new" as IMG want us to believe.

You mean in the US, Mike?

[Mike]

Yes, in the US.