The Seven Network has "made a dent on the Nine Network’s 19-year dominance over free-to-air rugby league in Australia, claiming the broadcast rights to the 2017 World Cup," according to the AAP. The network will "showcase all 28 matches live" on one of its channels during the event between Oct. 27 and Dec. 2 next year. The move "marks the first time major rugby league matches played in Australia will be broadcast on a rival free-to-air channel" since the ABC simulcast Fox Sports’ coverage of the Super League in '97. It is also the first time another commercial free-to-air broadcaster has "won the rights to matches played in Australia since the Seven Network last broadcast Test matches" in '92 (AAP, 7/18). THE ROAR reported rather than "just the free-to-air rights for the World Cup, Seven has secured a complete broadcast deal, which includes subscription, online and mobile rights on top of the free-to-air license." The deal "continues to grow Seven’s impressive live sport portfolio;" it will broadcast the upcoming Rio Olympics and Paralympics on its digital platforms as well as on TV, and Seven is also the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Football League, Australian Open and Melbourne Cup (THE ROAR, 7/18).
