This Month
Ten considering slashing sales arm as US parent mulls NRL bid
Australia’s ailing third free-to-air network has discussed outsourcing its ad sales to a rival, which would cut its headcount by almost 200.
Netflix not interested in NRL TV rights as V’landys seeks $4b deal
Netflix was among a group of streaming services considered as bidders for the long-term broadcast deal, which is expected to be sealed in the next three months.
February
NRL chief says strong finances provide ‘flexibility’ in rights hunt
Andrew Abdo says the NRL is in a strong negotiating position ahead of the expected signing of a major new broadcast rights deal by the end of the year.
January
Foxtel owner hikes Kayo sports streaming prices as costs bite
The platform is one of the most popular in the country, with broadcast rights to the NRL, AFL and cricket. The higher fees will test the loyalty of customers.
November 2025
Netball eyes return to free-to-air, $10m loan from private investors
The new broadcast rights package is expected to include the rights to the 2027 World Cup, which could include the introduction of two new teams.
Network Ten eyes NRL bid even as losses balloon to $480m in two years
The smallest of three commercial broadcasters has found itself with new, deep-pocketed owners after its parent company was acquired by the Ellison family.
October 2025
Siobhan McKenna cuts ties with Lachlan Murdoch after two decades
News Corp’s chief executive, Robert Thomson, has told staff that McKenna was able to “perceive the future from the haze-shrouded shapes on the horizon”.
Why V’landys wants to take the NRL to London, Dubai and Hong Kong
Peter V’landys’ latest brainchild, Operation Global Round, is an ambitious plan to bring in more money. But how would it actually work?
Foxtel’s billionaire owner injects $900m to keep Dazn going
Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries has a $US35 billion portfolio of biotech, entertainment and real estate assets. It is still paying to keep Dazn going.
September 2025
Supercars strikes $200m broadcast deal with Foxtel, Seven
The motorsport adds a new team, Toyota, to the competition from next year, when its new four-year telecast arrangement begins.
July 2025
What Apple’s Formula 1 play says about sports rights
Apple’s ‘F1: The Movie’ had iPhone camera technology, Top Gun’s film director and Brad Pitt. Its success has proven to be the ultimate test drive.
June 2025
Nine buys Optus Sport assets including English Premier League
The deal means UK soccer will stream on the Stan Sport platform from August.
May 2025
Supercars broadcast deal enters the final lap
Sources say Foxtel is in the driver’s seat to renew its existing arrangement with the motorsports league.
April 2025
Inside the plot to ‘get rid’ of Peter V’landys
In his climb to the top of racing and rugby league, Peter V’landys has broken the rules and challenged the system. But now some in the system are fighting back.
Inside the fortune Kerry Stokes (quietly) made in China
The businessman is best known for his investments in television and newspapers. But a decades-long approach to backing the Asian powerhouse is paying dividends.
March 2025
Disney eyes more Australian sport, turns into a Foxtel competitor
As ESPN hops onto Disney+, the entertainment giant’s Australia and New Zealand boss says it is “open to investing more” in domestic broadcast rights.
February 2025
The Australian at the heart of Saudi’s billion-dollar push to dominate global sport
Danny Townsend ran Sydney FC and then the A-League. Now he’s in the box seat to observe Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to dominate world sport. Will his gamble pay off?
Seven West says advertising dollars returning amid streaming surge
Investors shrug off poor profit update after bullish comments from the Stokes-controlled group’s chief executive, sending Seven and Nine shares soaring.
Wallabies stand to bank millions under new TV bonus linked to wins
Nine is in the final stages of securing a new five-year deal to broadcast rugby union worth more than $210 million that pays up if the Wallabies can turn their form around.
January 2025
Foxtel’s new owner Len Blavatnik makes a $10b bet on big sport
The Soviet Union-born businessman made his first billion in the oil industry before reinventing himself as a music mogul. Can he pull off his third act?
