May 26 – Australia’s men’s and women’s top tier leagues have agreed their first major commercial partnership since taking control of their rights from the national federation, securing a five-year $155.5 million broadcast deal.
The A-League and W-League have signed with ViacomCBS and will be launch platform content for the Australian launch of streaming service Paramount+. Subscription price at launch in August is $6.68.
Network 10 will air one A-League match on Saturdays, while the Ten Bold commercial channel will broadcast a live W-League match every Sunday. All free-to-air matches will also be simulcast on the Ten Play streaming platform.
Australian Professional Leagues (APL), which took over the sale of the rights to its own competitions at the end of last year – A-League, W-League, Y-League and e-League – has also taken a small equity investment from ViacomCBS.
The broadcast deal is reportedly a mix of cash and ad inventory, and has a clause that could see a further three-year extension.
APL managing director, Danny Townsend, said: “Fundamental to our strategy is a determination to ensure that we connect and engage with every Australian. This agreement starts that process by giving the game unprecedented reach and the backing of an absolutely iconic and globally renowned broadcaster.”
The leagues give ViacomCBS the opportunity to create a go-to home for football fans as they establish their broadcast offering in Australia.
Beverley McGarvey, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand’s chief content officer and executive vice president, said: “Ensuring broad reach on free-to-air, as well as extensive access on Paramount+, we are committed to showcasing the sport in innovative ways and exposing it to a plethora of programming opportunities across all our platforms, including those of our parent company ViacomCBS.”
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