Channel Nine could lose State of Origin rights as rival station ‘launches $150million bid’ to steal footy’s crown jewel
Channel Nine could lose State of Origin rights if rival station ‘launches a $150 million bid’ to steal footy’s crown jewel
- Peter V’landys met with Seven executives this week
- Seven and V’landys have a strong working relationship through horse racing
- Seven also after an NRL game on Sunday afternoon
Channel Seven has reportedly made a bold attempt to snatch the rights to the State Of Origin series from rival broadcaster Channel Nine.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys and Code CEO Andrew Abdo met with Seven CEO James Warburton and Sports Director Lewis Martin at a restaurant in Sydney last week.
They and Foxtel discussed the broadcaster’s $150 million bid to air the interstate series on Seven and Fox League, plus the Kayo and 7plus streaming services, according to the Daily telegram.
The State Of Origin series is consistently among the most watched programs in Australia, providing a viewing bonanza for Nine (pictured, Queensland after winning the title in 2023)
Footy supremo Peter V’Landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo were photographed meeting Seven’s CEO and sports director at a restaurant in Sydney last week
Game Three of this year’s State Of Origin (won by NSW, pictured) scores higher than last year’s corresponding game
While the three-match series has always been at or near the top of Australia’s most-watched programs each year, it’s starting to lose a bit of its luster despite remaining a ratings bonanza.
Despite a very healthy 3.3 million viewers tuning into this year’s opening game in Adelaide, 2013’s numbers are still much better at 3.949 million.
The network’s bid includes the men’s, women’s and under-19 interstate matches with a promise to heavily promote each match not only in the NSW and Queensland markets, but also nationally in the rival AFL markets, the publication reported.
Seven and Fox would spend close to $30 million a year — $10 million per game — over five seasons.
In addition to the Origin bid, Seven is also reportedly looking to secure an NRL game for every Sunday afternoon once the tender is open again.
Seven CEO James Warburton’s Origin bid would be a game-changer not just for the game, but for Australia’s TV landscape
Everest at Randwick is worth $15 million and is Racing NSW’s showpiece that V’landys successfully negotiated with Channel Seven for coverage
Warburton and Martin have an established and strong relationship with V’landys due to Seven’s coverage of major racing carnivals as the footy supremo also heads Racing NSW.
He met with the network honchos last month to discuss their continued collaboration and coverage of the world’s richest horse racing race, The Everest, held each year at Sydney’s Royal Randwick.