Fox Sports Australia CEO Patrick Delany declared "everyone a winner" as the National Rugby League’s record A$1.8B ($1.4B) media rights deal "boosts viewing figures for the code," according to Michael Bodey of THE AUSTRALIAN. Compared to the same time last year, "the cumulative TV audience has risen from 14 million viewers to 16 million viewers this year." The NRL’s decision to bring Fox Sports back into the fold "has worked for the game -- although less so for Nine." The main beneficiary appears to be Fox which, "with the help of the clubs, protested Nine’s exclusivity and renegotiated a deal" for '16 and '17 wherein it simulcasts all eight matches each weekend, "including five exclusive, and launches a new dedicated NRL channel next year." Delany: "It’s true that fans are finding our younger commentary teams and ad-free games attractive. But what is clear is more people are tuning in to the NRL across Australia this year than in previous years, whether that’s on Fox or Nine." Nine allowed the changes in exchange for advertising revenues from its ads run during the simulcasts on Fox, "a decision that has helped its bottom line." Overall during the first four rounds this year, Fox’s viewing numbers are up 26% in the same timeslots they broadcast last year. Fox Sports said national audiences for its exclusive matches currently average 264,000 viewers, which is up 29% on the same time last year. The NRL would not comment on the fortunes of either broadcaster but a spokesperson said, "Clearly one of our aims this year was to increase the overall number of viewers and that has happened in the first rounds" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/4).
