The NRL want control of Super League’s UK television deal as part of a proposal to buy a 33 per cent stake in the competition, which could have implications for the domestic rugby league’s long-term rights partner, Sky Sports.The value of the Super League Sky Sports deal has halved over the last three years, with the 12 clubs receiving just £21m between them last season. The NRL’s TV deal is far more lucrative at around £190m-a-year, with the Australian clubs seeking an increase of 33 per cent when the current contract expires in 2027.The NRL’s proposed investment in Super League would start in 2028, with sources involved in the negotiations telling City AM that it has been timed to coincide with their next television contract. The NRL want to bundle Super League games into their own TV tender, giving them more content to sell to broadcasters, and more matches for fans.The NRL’s current TV contract is with Australian free-to-air channels Foxtel and Channel Nine, but they are targeting providers for their next deal, with Dazn and Amazon Prime interested. A global deal also involving a new NRL Europe may suit all parties.
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