TV boss in major declaration in bid to poach NRL rights

Is NRL set for a new home on free-to-air television when the current rights deal ends in 2027?

Currently broadcast by Channel 9 and Fox, the NRL is set to enter a new round of negotiations, with Ch 7, Ch 10 and streaming giants believed to be preparing bids.

Having already secured the rights to this year’s rugby league world cup, Channel 7 boss Chris Jones have said he will initiate talks with NRL Chairman Peter V’landys about expanding the network’s league delivery.

“The Rugby League World Cup comes at the end of this year,” Jones told Kane Cornes on SEN’s Locked In. “We’re terribly excited about that and it sits in a beautiful slot.

“Of course, we would love to get a piece of some of the NRL. What that looks like, who knows? But we will start those discussions with Peter and the team.

“They have a great sport.

“We love what we have with the AFL Thursday to Sunday; we would be silly not to put our hats in the ring.”

Jones’ comments follow the network’s move to expand popular AFL show The Agenda Setters into NRL for 2026 with a new panel show beginning from round one of the NRL season and continuing through to the end of RLWC2026.

“We cannot wait to expand Seven’s sport offering into the NRL season. The Agenda Setters: Rugby League will do just as the name suggests and be at the forefront of news and opinion from the start of the NRL season right through to the end of the Rugby League World Cup,” he said.

“With an unbeatable 2026 sport calendar that begins with the Summer of Cricket, the 2026 AFL season, the Birmingham 2026 Commonwealth Games, Supercars Championship and now the Rugby League World Cup, there is something for every Australian on Seven and 7plus Sport.”