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Optus set to swoop on rugby rights as Foxtel prepares to cut ties with battling code
By Kylar Loussikian and Jennifer Duke
November 24, 2019 — 6.00pm
Foxtel is preparing to sever its two-decade relationship with rugby union after rival Optus agreed to a higher price during bidding for the code's five-year broadcast rights.
Two sources briefed on the negotiations told the Herald Foxtel had baulked at matching Optus' price, which is believed to be higher than $30 million annually, and pulled its bid entirely.
They cited Rugby Australia's dysfunctional management and declining viewer numbers.
Super Rugby rights are likely to change hands with Optus set to swoop.
Photo: Anthony Johnson
Rugby Australia has yet to award the broadcast rights, which include its Super Rugby competition, the National Rugby Championships and Wallabies Tests, the latter which is also screened on the Ten Network due to anti-siphoning requirements.
If Optus succeeds in acquiring the rights, it will be the first time since Super Rugby's inaugural season in 1996 that the competition has not been screened on traditional television.
Optus said in a statement it was "unable to comment on any rights speculation".
But the company's chief executive Allen Lew has previously flagged further broadcast rights acquisitions after securing the exclusive Australian rights to the English Premier League last year for the 2019 to 2022 seasons. That competition was also previously broadcast on Fox Sports.
"Our focus right now is to see what we can do beyond soccer," Mr Lew said in August, after disclosing the company's Optus Sport platform had 700,000 subscribers.
Optus also outbid Foxtel for rights to air the recent Rugby World Cup in Japan. But the code's global governing body decided to stick with Foxtel.
Rugby Australia's present deal is set to expire next year. "Rugby Australia does not comment on broadcast negations while they are ongoing” a spokesperson said.
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