New TV Deal for English Rugby League
SKY SPORTS has secured the exclusive live rights to Super League and international Rugby League for the next five years.
A new deal with the Rugby Football League gives Sky Sports:
Tetley's Super League matches - including the Play-Offs and Grand Final - in seasons 2004 to 2008 inclusive, exclusively live.
All Great Britain internationals - including a new Tri-Nations tournament with Australia and New Zealand - exclusively live.
The World Club Challenge match and any internationals involving the home nations, which will also be exclusively live on Sky Sports.
Welcoming the deal, Vic Wakeling, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: 'Our relationship with Rugby League is one of the longest in the 12-year history of Sky Sports and we are delighted to be announcing the same again in terms of Super League and International rights, just as the sport is entering an exciting new phase.
'Last season's Super League Play-Offs must have been the best yet, and the Grand Final continues to set attendance records year on year. We look forward to the launch of the Tri-Nations tournament this year, it's a marvellous and ambitious concept which could be the best thing to happen to the game since Super League itself kicked off in 1996.'
Under the new deal, Sky Sports will continue to show two live Super League matches from each round of the tournament, which will run from February through to September. The Play-Off matches will also be exclusively live before live coverage of the Grand Final concludes the domestic season in October.
A new Tri-Nations international series, contested by Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, will also be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports will now cover over 80 live rugby league matches each season. In addition to Super League and GB internationals Sky Sports will also broadcast Australian Rugby League matches and a weekly support programme, Boots N'All.
Rugby League was one of the first sports to be covered live on Sky Sports when the channel launched in 1991. Since then Sky has covered over 480 live matches, witnessed the development of the summer game and seen rising attendances and audiences.
Exclusive live coverage of Tetley's Super League IX on Sky Sports begins with last season's Champions hosting their 2003 Grand Final opponents Wigan on Friday 20 February. All 12 Super League clubs will have appeared live on Sky Sports by Easter Sunday.
For further information please contact:
Julian Sheldon at Sky Sports Publicity on 0207 800 42
A new deal with the Rugby Football League gives Sky Sports:
Welcoming the deal, Vic Wakeling, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: 'Our relationship with Rugby League is one of the longest in the 12-year history of Sky Sports and we are delighted to be announcing the same again in terms of Super League and International rights, just as the sport is entering an exciting new phase.
'Last season's Super League Play-Offs must have been the best yet, and the Grand Final continues to set attendance records year on year. We look forward to the launch of the Tri-Nations tournament this year, it's a marvellous and ambitious concept which could be the best thing to happen to the game since Super League itself kicked off in 1996.'
Under the new deal, Sky Sports will continue to show two live Super League matches from each round of the tournament, which will run from February through to September. The Play-Off matches will also be exclusively live before live coverage of the Grand Final concludes the domestic season in October.
A new Tri-Nations international series, contested by Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, will also be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports will now cover over 80 live rugby league matches each season. In addition to Super League and GB internationals Sky Sports will also broadcast Australian Rugby League matches and a weekly support programme, Boots N'All.
Rugby League was one of the first sports to be covered live on Sky Sports when the channel launched in 1991. Since then Sky has covered over 480 live matches, witnessed the development of the summer game and seen rising attendances and audiences.
Exclusive live coverage of Tetley's Super League IX on Sky Sports begins with last season's Champions hosting their 2003 Grand Final opponents Wigan on Friday 20 February. All 12 Super League clubs will have appeared live on Sky Sports by Easter Sunday.
For further information please contact:
Julian Sheldon at Sky Sports Publicity on 0207 800 42