National Rugby League returns to Sky Sports

Sky Sports has strengthened its position as the home of rugby league, with the return of regular NRL matches for the first time in over a decade.

The new five-year-deal means that from this season, Sky Sports will show close to 200 rugby league matches per year, double last years total, offering customers the biggest season of rugby league ever.

The deal includes:

Three NRL Telstra Premiership weekly matches per round

NRL Telstra Premiership finals series and Grand Final

Holden State of Origin Series

And further action from the southern hemisphere including; the Nines Tournament, NRL All Stars and Trans-Tasman, Pacific Test and Australian Test matches

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports said: Sky Sports is the home of rugby league, and the addition of NRL brings the global game to our customers. We have the best of both hemispheres for Sky Sports Action and Arena to deliver every thrilling moment of one of the toughest leagues in world sport.

Todd Greenberg, NRL CEO added: Were delighted that Sky Sports will be showcasing rugby league to this extent in 2018 and beyond. Our aim is always to ensure that as many people as possible are able to watch rugby league, and this deal will further ensure that the NRL Premiership as well as many more of our elite competitions and games will get the audience they deserve.

The NRL season kicks-off on 8 March; with Skys first-pick televised games live on Saturday 10 March. Customers can tune in from 08:00 to see South Sydney Rabbitohs against the New Zealand Warriors, followed by 2017 champions Melbourne Storm beginning their title-defence against the Canterbury Bulldogs.

But live rugby league has already begun on Sky Sports with the start of the Super League season. This week, Leeds Rhinos are in action against newly promoted Hull KR, followed by Wakefield Trinity against Salford Red Devils in Skys Thursday and Friday picks.

Watch all the rugby league action on the Sky Sports Action and Arena channels, which also features the best matches from the NFL, netball Superleague, tennis, darts, boxing, rugby union, WWE and more.

For further information:

Sports PR

02070321445

About Sky

Sky is Europes leading entertainment company, serving 22.5 million customers across seven countries - UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The company has annual revenues of £12.9 billion and is Europes leading investor in television content with annual programming spend of over £6 billion.

From exclusive partnerships with HBO and Showtime, to Sky Original Productions, Sky offers the best and broadest range of content along with the best viewing experience to suit each and every customer. Whether thats through the multi-award winning next generation box, Sky Q, or Skys contract-free online streaming service, NOW TV, customers have access to the latest movies, drama, sports and kids entertainment wherever and whenever they like. This is all supported by Skys best in class customer service.

Skys success is not just based on what the company does but how it does it. Named as one of the Top 10 Green Companies in the World by Newsweek, one of the worlds most recognised rankings of businesss environmental performance, Sky ensures its responsible business strategy is embedded right across the group.

Sky has over 31,000 employees and is listed as one of The Times Top 50 employers for women. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

LINK:	https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/media-centre/articles/en-gb/Nationa...
	See more stories from sky

Most recent headlines