The National Rugby League (NRL) has given rights to Premier Sports to broadcast matches in South East Asia and the Indian sub-continent for 2022.
Premier Sports coverage of the NRL season begins on 11 February with live coverage of the All Stars game from Sydney, and from the start of the season on 10 March, the platform will show three live matches and a highlights programme from every round.
“Rugby League was the most watched sport in Australia last year and we’re excited to be partnering with Premier Sports to take our game into households across South East Asia,’’ commented NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo.
“Our game is fast paced with high amounts of ball in play time ensuring optimum entertainment for viewers.”
Furthermore, in its new collaboration, the NRL Finals Series will be shown by the platform along with the State of Origin Series and one live game per round from the women’s competition, broadcast to customers in over 20 countries.
Premier Sports Asia CEO, Ryle Nugent, added: “We are delighted to bring Rugby League’s premium annual competition to our customers in the region.
“This is the first small step in broadening our content offering beyond our suite of premium rugby union properties and we are excited that step is partnering with the NRL.”
The company’s rugby content has primarily consisted so far of rugby union, with the firm bolstering its offering in 2021 when it added the British and Irish Lions rugby union team’s tour against South Africa to its roster, which also includes the Asian media rights to the Six Nations and Autumn Internationals.
Towards the end of last year, the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) also penned a deal with Premier Sports, with the aim of enhancing the sport’s profile across the country.
After having ‘supported British Ice Hockey in one form or another for the last 10’, this partnership featured a broadcasting caveat, as fans were able to use the Premier Sports Player to view all 27 games throughout the season, including 23 league games.
