Saturday, April 18, 2026

Paramount+, Network Ten Want All of the AFL Media Rights

AFL
AFL

Paramount+ and its partner Network Ten are reportedly putting together a joint bid for Australian Football League’s entire broadcast package starting in 2024. Both share parent company Paramount.

The pair, which would split the nine games per round between streaming and free-to-air broadcasts, are reportedly planning to present their proposal to AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and his team in the coming days.

AFL had also reportedly planned discussions with Amazon and YouTube.

It’s not clear how much the rights would fetch, but AFL’s current broadcast agreement with pay-TV operator Foxtel and the FTA broadcaster Seven Network is bringing in around $672 million to the league over the next two years.

  • Seven has rights to three-and-a-half games per round, with exclusive rights to the grand final. Foxtel and its streaming service Kayo have rights to five-and-a-half matches. 
  • Foxtel will likely try to retain its coverage, but Seven has made decisions that frustrated the league, including canceling a number of programs, per The Age.

From 2002 to 2006, Network Ten shared AFL rights with Seven (previously Nine) and Foxtel, and had exclusive free-to-air rights to the finals and grand final.

Deeper Pockets Needed

AFL’s new deal would reportedly be worth more than its previous one despite years of falling ratings — an 18% decrease in the last five years. 

Players in both the AFL and AFLW are demanding more money, and higher broadcasting income could help pay for those requests.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Liberty Stars Are Taking Major Pay Cuts to Chase a WNBA Title

The new CBA makes it harder for teams to sign multiple max players.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.

Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule

The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lane Thomas (15) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City Okays $600M for New Royals Stadium

The MLB club must still complete the rest of its stadium financing plan.

Featured Today

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
Brandon Marshall Portfolio Players

Brandon Marshall Nearly Quit FS1 Over Nick Wright Argument

Marshall tells FOS he took issue with Wright’s lack of “take integrity.”
Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Azzi Fudd poses for a photo on the orange carpet before the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
April 16, 2026

Wings Shut Down Question to Azzi Fudd About Paige Bueckers Relationship

The Wings selected Fudd first overall earlier this week.
A smartphone showing the Netflix logo is held in front of a television displaying the Netflix home screen with Top 10 content rows in Paris, Ile de France, France, February 28, 2026. The scene illustrates video on demand streaming and second screen viewing on connected devices.
April 16, 2026

Netflix: There’s ‘Opportunity to Expand the Relationship’ With NFL

The streaming giant touts big results from its live sports content.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
LIV Golf livestream
April 16, 2026

LIV Golf Loses Mexico Livestream for Nearly Three Hours

The league’s broadcast feeds were down for more than an hour.
Apr 25, 2024; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Kevin Kisner reacts to his shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2026

NBC’s Kevin Kisner Apologizes for Torching CBS Masters Coverage

Kisner admitted he “crossed the line” with his now-viral rant.
The Miz Stephen A. Smith WWE
April 16, 2026

ESPN Going All Out for WWE WrestleMania in Las Vegas

There has been plenty of crossover between ESPN and WWE this week.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) in the second half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images
exclusive
April 16, 2026

NFL, YouTube in Advanced Talks for 5-Game Package

The deal has yet to be finalized.