Nine has announced its plans for the NRL in 2020 which will include an expanded and enhanced cross-platform presence for its television, radio, digital and publishing assets under the vision of “Your Footy, Your Way.”
In 2020 Nine is planning to expand coverage across all platforms for rugby league, including deeper coverage of the woman’s game through the NRLW.
“Our vision for NRL coverage is a clear one,” said Nine’s new director of sport Brent Williams. “It’s about delivering ‘Your Footy, Your Way’ both for our audiences and our commercial partners.
“From broadcast, digital, publishing and radio, Nine and Wide World of Sports will deliver the entertainment and the analysis, wherever, whenever and however audiences want it.”
Williams said Nine’s plans to widen the coverage of women’s NRL followed, the record audience figures this season. Nine will work closely with the code to continue to expand the NRLW in 2020 and beyond.
“This year, the women’s premiership and State of Origin series delivered the highest audience of any women’s sporting code,” Williams said. “In 2020, Nine will continue to support the women’s game as it goes from strength to strength, and as part of a broader women’s sport opportunity we are bringing it to market across all of Nine’s assets.”
Nine coverage will feature a new crossbar cam and corner post cam and is also working in conjunction with the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association on the introduction of player microphones.
“In 2020, we will bring NRL fans closer to the action than ever before,” Williams said. “With the aid of crossbar cam and corner post cam and the new player mics that we will be trialling in 2020, in partnership with NRL and NRL players association, we will give our viewers a new perspective on the game they love to follow.”
On the commercial side, Nine will offer new levels of integration in the NRL with the expanded coverage across all platforms and mediums including radio coverage for the first time, including the Continuous Call Team.
“Nine in 2020 will have more footy content across more platforms than any other media company in Australia,” said Matt Granger Director of Sales – Sport.
“In 2020, Nine will provide more ways in for brands, across more assets, from the home and away series, to Thursday nights Golden Point, Friday Knock Off, Sunday Footy, 100% Footy, State of Origin, Finals, Test Matches and All Stars, and the Women’s premiership and State of Origin.
“From Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Nine will also provide new promotional platforms for brands to capitalise on the time of year and calendar events for the unique NRL audience across all of our assets.”