After officials agreed to a two-year deal with Channel 4, the Super League will be shown live on free-to-air television for the first time in 2022.
10 matches a Year
Leeds Rhinos’ first league game against Warrington – Daryl Powell’s first league game in command of his new club – will be televised by the Leeds-based broadcaster on Saturday, February 12 with a midday kick-off.
The remaining nine games will be spaced out across the season, with two end-of-season play-off matches included. The change marks the end of Sky Sports’ 26-year monopoly on live Super League coverage and is a result of the satellite broadcaster’s new two-year deal announced in April.
Sky will continue to broadcast 66 games per season, including the Magic Weekend and the Grand Final, and will have first dibs on games in both the regular and playoff rounds.
Channel 4
Super League chairman Ken Davy said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm a brand-new broadcast partnership with Channel 4. They have a great track record of showing some of the best sporting competitions.”
‘The opportunity to offer live Betfred Super League action to fans on a free-to-air platform across the whole season is fantastic and one that we hope will continue to serve our current fans, as well as attract many new fans to the sport.
‘I must thank our principal broadcast partner, Sky Sports, without whose support this partnership would not have been possible.’
Channel 4 Head of Sport Peter Andrews said: ‘We’re thrilled to be bringing Super League to free-to-air television for the first time in its history.
‘It’s fantastic news for rugby league fans and it’s a really special addition to Channel 4’s sports portfolio, particularly since it’s one of our first major partnerships since moving to our new national HQ building at the Majestic in Leeds.’
The Super League season will begin on Thursday, February 10th, with the entire schedule to be revealed on that day.
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