BSkyB signed a deal yesterday for live satellite rights for the next five years a 15% increase on the previous agreement with the broadcaster. The last contract, which ran out in November, was worth £46m.
Up until now, Super League's only terrestrial presence has been a Sky highlights package running in northern BBC regions but it is understood that the Rugby Football League has now agreed a secondary rights package with the BBC.
Edited matches from the regular league programme, in addition to showing highlights from the new Tri-Nations series between Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand in November could all also be part of the deal.
According to The Times, the RFL is currently renegotiating its deal with the BBC for the Powergen Challenge Cup from 2005 and has been offered £10m over five years.
RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis began negotiating the deal between the BBC and BSkyB on the new contracts for the Tetley's Super League, the Powergen Challenge Cup and the international games in April. RFL initially rejected a £55.5m offer Sky -- £2.5m more than the one eventually agreed by the 12 clubs yesterday.
The BBC's offer for live international rights was eventually rejected in favour of Sky's overall package for Super League and international games up to but excluding the World Cup in Australia in 2008.
Lewis claims that the new deal will guarantee them an increased income. "We've secured more money for the international game while maximising revenues for Super League" he said.
The deal is expected to be formally announced within the next fortnight.
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