Sky extends rugby league contract

The Australian Rugby League Commission and Sky Television have confirmed a one-year extension to their existing broadcasting contract, guaranteeing the 2012 National Rugby League season will be telecast live in New Zealand. The agreement will give New Zealand rugby league fans access to the Telstra Premiership, State of Origin and the Anzac Test. “With the Vodafone Warriors kicking off the season with a grand final rematch at Eden Park on March 4 this is a real boost for New Zealand fans,” Australian Rugby League Commission chief executive David Gallop said. “More than 700,000 New Zealanders tuned in to watch Kiwi teams in all three grand final day matches last year and we were always confident that we would be able to reach an interim agreement for 2012. “We certainly acknowledge the co-operation of Sky Television chief executive John Fellett in finalising the one-year agreement in advance of the more long-term negotiations taking place." “There is enormous support for rugby league and the Vodafone Warriors in New Zealand and we see that audience growing even further in 2012,” said Fellett. “I think all New Zealand sports fans will be happy to know that we now have a firm deal for 2012 and the opportunity to negotiate longer term contracts in the months ahead.”