SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Maika Sivo of the Eels in action during the round 23 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Bankwest Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Channel Nine may look to get two exclusive games as part of the new broadcast deal and sacrifice the Thursday night game, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Nine saw the value or having exclusive rights with the Australian Open this year, a concept they would like to explore for the new NRL deal.
It is believed that next year's broadcast games have to be locked in by mid-August, which could make it hard to predict what will be the blockbuster matches.
Peter V’landys is the frontrunner to become the next chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, who will seek the maximum revenue return for the NRL.
V’landys, the chief executive of Racing NSW, has strong ties to News Corp, which owns Fox Sports, one of the main bidders for the TV rights.
‘‘I’ve had more arguments with News Corp than any other media group,’’ V’landys told The Sydney Morning Herald.
‘‘I have not got the position yet but, if I do get it, they may be in for a surprise.’’
The Sydney Morning Herald reported last week that the NRL ratings have been tumbling, specially on free-to-air TV, with last weekend's the worst of the year.
Nine and Fox are seen as the only two likely bidders for the TV rights.