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

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.