The deal is set to expand the game’s radio reach.
As we foreshadowed on Sunday night in our article regarding the future of Talking Lifestyle, Crocmedia has confirmed that it has secured an NRL broadcast partnership for the next five years under a sub-license agreement with Macquarie Media Limited and the ARLC.
The announcement comes after last week’s report in radioinfo of a similar 5-year NRL partnership secured by Triple M.
The deal will expand the game’s radio reach to more than 80 percent of NSW and Queensland, providing more access to League calls in these states via NRL Nation.
Former Kangaroos captain and 1995 Dally M medalist Laurie Daley will join 300-game stalwarts Brett Kimmorley, Scott Prince and Luke Lewis as expert commentators on NRL Nation alongside play-by-play callers Brenton Speed, Russell Barwick and Peter Psaltis.
Experienced analysts and NRL greats, Gary Belcher, Steve Roach, Scott Sattler and Brent Tate will complement the lineup that includes sideline eye Renee Gartner, and will take rugby league around country in the landmark deal.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said it was an exciting development for the sport and will help expose a broader audience to the game.
“We’ve got one of the most loyal and extensive fan bases in Australian sport and this partnership with Macquarie Media Limited and Crocmedia makes our great game even more accessible for our fans in regional NSW and Queensland – bringing them a new call from top NRL talent each week,” Greenberg said.
Crocmedia CEO Craig Hutchison said the NRL sub-licence partnership with Macquarie Media Limited and the ARLC, represented a key asset in the company’s ‘whole of sport’ expansion strategy
“We are thrilled to add a broadcast partnership with Macquarie Media and the NRL as the latest addition to our growing stable of sport properties with an incredible ensemble of on-air talent,” Hutchison said.
NRL Nation will call four matches each round — Thursday (8pm), Friday (6pm), Saturday (3pm) and Sunday (4pm) across the Super Radio Network throughout regional NSW and Southeast Queensland, the Grant Broadcasters in regional NSW and regional Queensland, Resonate Regional Radio and Coastal Broadcasters in Queensland, Capital Radio Network in Canberra, CAAMA Network (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) through Central Australia and QRAM (Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media) throughout Remote Queensland.
NRL Nation officially launches on Thursday March 8th and can be heard across radio broadcast partners, NRL app, NRLNation.com.au and NRL.com.au.