As we are now less than two months away, any idea as to whether the current Premier/ Sky contract for NRL will continue?

Also (and I appreciate Bikko may have info that he cannot share), is a World Cup Deal imminent? If BBC is primary broadcaster and Sky secondary, is it likely that Sky will show all the matches, and BBC show say 8 group games, 2 QF, 2 SF and the final, or will BBC show a number of games exclusive?

I expect it'll be a similar deal to 2000 when the BBC having matches to show on Saturday and Sundays with Sky showing the majority of the remaining games. I don't actually know the fine details, that was just what I was told to expect.

As for NRL, they were very late in getting a contractor to sort out international rights agreements , so thats why I think their is a delay. Whilst Premier does look to be the only candidate right now, the new BT Sports Channel is on the horizon (launches later this year) and with (at least) two channels of content to fill, NRL would be a good fit I reckon. So it might not be so straight forward.

PS I hope Sky don't get Origin again. Much as HD was a bonus, it was negated for me by having Jon Wells and Shaun McRae punditry. Having had the full channel 9 show whilst it was on Setanta, Sky's punditry offering was garbage!

Yeah I agree, it's far better when they just show the Aussie coverage.

Thanks Bikko. Sounds promising. I hope Sky show every game but BBC get at least 2 a week, inc England matches.

BT will need some content- NRL offers Fri, Sat, Sun and Morn matches. Apart from selected bank holiday and midweek games, BT only have the Sat 12.45 slot for football. I imagine that their Sat coverage will start at 11.30am. They will have Premiership Rugby, but little else major is on offer for a while.

Few Thursdays slots as well and a more appeal Sunday 9:30am slot as well for some weeks during the season.

Yes, slight issue is that BT won't be ready to go until late-Summer.

Bet RFL are a tad frustrated that just as BT are desperate for content, they are locked into a 5yr Sky deal, with 4 years to go

There's a notice on the Premier Sports website dated 11th. January saying that they're waiting for the outcome of the formal bidding process and hope for a result in 2-3 weeks as the All-Stars game is on 9th. February and they'll post any news on their Facebook page when it's available. I'm not on Facebook, so I can't say if there's been any progress to report