Rugby: Sanzar reveals new $615m TV deal

Sanzar’s new broadcasting agreement is a 35 per cent increase on the current deal. Photo / Getty Images

Sanzar has agreed to a US$437 million ($615 million) five-year deal for broadcasting rights for the Super rugby competition and Tri-Nations series from 2011-2015.

It represents an increase of US$114m, or 35 per cent, on the previous five-year deal signed with News Corp that expires this year.

Sanzar, which represents the South Africa, Australian and New Zealand unions, has concluded agreements with Supersport (Africa), Fox Sports (Australia) and SKY Television (New Zealand).

Sanzar and New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew today said the deal with broadcasters represented a major vote of confidence in southern hemisphere rugby.

"We believe that rugby is in good health and that its appeal remains strong both in terms of participation and in terms of the interest of our fans across South Africa, New Zealand and Australia," he said.

"This agreement underlines that and helps secure the new competitions and deliver them in all three countries and also, importantly, supports the game's funding which allows all three unions to continue to develop rugby through our investment in the community and amateur game and the retention of our best players and coaches."

The new agreements follow the original, landmark 10-year agreement which helped launch professional rugby in the southern hemisphere from 1996-2005, and the current five-year agreement which expires at the end of 2010.

- NZPA