19

WE ARE

Last year was a history making year for NRL on FOX SPORTS with FOX LEAGUE ratings up across the board on Rugby League’s first 24 hour channel.

FOX LEAGUE’s live NRL coverage was up 5% YOY in 2018 with the Round 25 game between the Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys the highest rating regular season game ever on FOX LEAGUE.

FOX LEAGUE’s magazine shows also received a ratings boost in 2018 with The Late Show with Matty Johns up 22% while The Professor’s Farewell Tour also registered a 17% ratings increase.

Foxtel subscribers will continue to receive the best line-up of shows across the week in 2019 with in-depth analysis and insight combined with plenty of fun and entertainment, ensuring there is something for every fan.

NOTE FROM HEAD OF FOX SPORTS PETE CAMPBELL

And it only gets bigger with FOX LEAGUE expanding its comprehensive coverage of the Telstra NRL Premiership with the introduction of 4K Ultra HD. In 2019 FOX LEAGUE will deliver over 40 games in 4K Ultra HD on Foxtel 4K channel 444.

4K Ultra HD will present an amazing new viewing experience for NRL fans. The picture quality and Graphics just pop like you can’t imagine. Add these amazing pictures to our World Best commentary team – and you have the NRL like never before.

Our Foxtel subscribers loved our first 4K Ultra HD broadcast of Bathurst 1000 and our cricket broadcasts over the summer period including every Australian Test, ODI and T20 international match, and I have no doubt NRL fans will also quickly adopt this as the gold standard and best way to watch their favourite sport. It’s set to be another incredible season and we can’t wait to deliver Rugby League fans the best coverage yet.

FOX LEAGUE, on Foxtel, is home to Rugby League, giving fans the coverage they deserve.

Every game LIVE in HD, every round with no ad-breaks during play all on a dedicated 24/7 Rugby League channel. FOX LEAGUE will also broadcast every finals match leading into the grand final LIVE in HD, with no ad-breaks during play. And for the first time rugby league fans will be able to watch matches in 4K Ultra HD with 40 games set to be broadcast in 4K Ultra HD on Foxtel 4K (Channel 444) throughout the season.

The 2019 NRL Premiership on FOX LEAGUE is all about our Thursday to Sunday live action with entertainment shows across the week featuring the biggest names in the game including premiership winners and new faces to FOX LEAGUE Benji Marshall and Luke Lewis as well as rugby league legends Matty Johns, Mal Meninga, Kevin Walters, Gorden Tallis, Steve “Blocker” Roach, Greg Alexander,

Mick Ennis and Yvonne Sampson. Across the week, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re after hard-hitting analysis, family-friendly entertainment or something with a late-night edge, FOX LEAGUE has it all.

In 2019, FOX LEAGUE favourites return including Sunday Night with Matty Johns, The Late Show with Matty Johns, League Life, The Professor’s Late Hit, NRL 360, Queenslanders Only, The Fan, Try Time, The Greatest and Controversy Corner.

FOX LEAGUE is the place for rugby league lovers. This year we will see fresh on-screen innovations including the addition of Rover Cam, seen this summer on FOX CRICKET, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before and providing new ways to experience Rugby League. We will also have the best and most respected commentary line-up in the country to call all of the action on and off the field.

2019 IT GETS BETTER

2019 FOX LEAGUE LINE-UPMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

5:00PM 5:00PM

6:00PM 6:00PM 12:00PM

6:30PM 6:30PM 1:00PM

7:00PM 7:00PM 2:00PM

7:30PM 7:30PM 3:00PM

8:00PM 8:00PM 4:00PM

8:30PM 8:30PM 5:00PM

9:00PM 9:00PM 6:00PM

9:30PM 9:30PM 7:00PM

10:00PM 10:00PM 8:00PM

10:30PM 10:30PM 9:00PM

11:00PM 11:00PM 10:00PM

LIVE Everything FOX SPORTS does begins and ends with live sport, and FOX LEAGUE on Foxtel, will take that commitment more to heart than ever. Our weekend of live action starts on Thursday night and continues with the “double, triple, double” of live games from Friday through to Sunday with Friday’s 6pm match, all three games of Super Saturday and the first game on Sunday LIVE and ONLY on FOX LEAGUE.

COVERAGE

No-one does Thursday night footy like FOX LEAGUE. Thursday Night League will launch

the round, with hosts Yvonne Sampson and Mick Ennis teaming up with an expert panel to

deliver the best discussion and analysis of the game each week. Some of the biggest names to

have played the game, including Mal Meninga, Mark Gasnier, Corey Parker, Justin Hodges and

Braith Anasta will provide their insight and analysis for the round’s opening game.

THURSDAY / 7PM

FOX LEAGUE is the place to go for NRL fans looking for the full Friday night footy fix, with double live action every week. Host Matt Shirvington and Greg Alexander will be joined each week by a mix of experts including Mark Gasnier, Kevin Walters, Justin Hodges, Braith Anasta and Steve Roach to dissect the Friday Night footy action. Kicking off at 6.00pm, the first game of the night is ONLY on FOX LEAGUE, before a prime-time blockbuster gets underway at 7.50pm.

FRIDAY / 6PM

The biggest day of NRL action returns in 2019 and FOX LEAGUE will be the only place to watch

all three games LIVE, ad-break free during play and back-to-back on Super Saturday. Lara Pitt

and Matt Shirvington will bring fans all the action LIVE from the ground for the early game before

crossing back to the studio with Yvonne Sampson and Mick Ennis joined by a team of Rugby League

experts to guide viewers through more than seven hours of live coverage.

SATURDAY / 2.30PM

Jess Yates and Braith Anasta are in the hosting chair on Sundays to deliver a massive double-header on the Sunday Ticket. There’s no place like home on a Sunday, where the team will guide fans through both games as viewers kick-back, relax and settle down for an afternoon of NRL family-time with FOX LEAGUE.

SUNDAY / 1.30PM

FOX LEAGUE’s line-up of entertainment shows will have something for everyone in 2019, with returning favourites joined by several new faces. From fanatics looking for the best and most comprehensive insight, to fans interested in the history of the game and even those just looking for some light-hearted fun, FOX LEAGUE has it all.

ENTERTAINMENT SHOWS

FOX LEAGUE’s flagship show returns in 2019.

Matty Johns will be joined by, Bryan Fletcher and Brett

Finch to wrap up the round’s action with plenty of laughs

along the way. Sit back, relax and unwind with the funniest team in league as they look at

the round that was.

SUNDAY / 6PM

Graeme Hughes, Steve “Blocker” Roach, Phil “Buzz” Rothfield and Billy Harrigan go toe-to-toe every Sunday night on Controversy Corner. The panel will dissect and debate the biggest issues in the game.

SUNDAY / 7PM

From Monday to Thursday Megan Barnard, Matt Russell and Matt Shirvington bring fans all the

latest and breaking rugby league news from across the code.

MONDAY-THURSDAY 6PM & FRIDAY AT 5PM

Lara Pitt will showcase every try from the weekend’s round in a jam-packed 60 minute highlights package that is sure to get the hearts of every rugby league fan racing.

MONDAY / 5PM

From Monday to Wednesday, Ben Ikin and Paul Kent set the NRL agenda, dissecting all the big talking points impacting the game from every angle. Coaches Night returns each Monday in 2019 with club coaches joining the hosts throughout the season. Benji Marshall and James Graham team up each Tuesday for Players Night, while Danny Buderus, Billy Moore and Greg Alexander return for Legends Night on Wednesdays. A hand-picked selection of Australia’s most renowned Rugby League journalists, including Phil Rothfield, James Hooper and Paul Crawley will feature across the week to provide their take on the biggest news stories, on and off the field.

MONDAY – WEDNESDAY / 6.30PM

Big League Wrap, offers fans unrivalled insight every Monday night. Host Yvonne Sampson will be joined on the panel by

Mick Ennis and James Hooper to provide the sharpest analysis of the game and a

look at all the talking points from across the round.

MONDAY / 7.30PM

The Fan is back in 2019 and will continue to look at Rugby League through the historical and quirky

lens of the game’s biggest fan, Andrew Voss. Built around the upcoming round, Voss will reflect on the

game from the fan’s point of view, talking to the biggest lovers of the game along the way.

TUESDAY / 7.30PM

Hannah Hollis is joined each Tuesday night by a panel of Queensland Rugby League legends, including Mal Meninga, Kevin Walters, Corey Parker and Justin Hodges for Queenslanders Only. If you live north of the border then this is the show for you with the team providing their uniquely Queensland view on all things Rugby League.

TUESDAY / 8PM

Yvonne Sampson, Lara Pitt, Jess Yates and Hannah Hollis are back with the award winning League Life in 2019. League Life will again conduct the big interviews and reveal the most inspiring and remarkable stories in the game along with stories from grass roots and those living the League Life.

WEDNESDAY / 7.30PM

Former premiership winner Mick Ennis presents, The Greatest, a look at some of the game’s defining moments. Every week Ennis will relive and break down the best moments in Rugby League history. Relive FOX LEAGUE’s selection of the greatest plays, players and moments that the game has provided.

WEDNESDAY / 8PM

The Late Show with Matty Johns returns in 2019 with the regular

team of Matty Johns, Gorden Tallis, Nathan Hindmarsh, Bryan Fletcher, Hannah Hollis and Paul

Kent teaming up for a review of Thursday Night League and a preview of the weekend’s footy fixtures. With the kids tucked up

in bed, the weekend will get off to an early start each Thursday with a raucous mix of jokes, banter, pranks and leftfield analysis.

THURSDAY / 9.30PM

The Professor’s Late Hit will be satire at its sharpest, poking harmless

fun at the game, the clubs and the players we all love. The Professor will be joined by his comedy side-

kick Barney and Rugby League great Nathan Hindmarsh and special guests each week.

FRIDAY / 9.45PM

THE PROFESSOR’S LATE HIT

FOX LEAGUE’s team of experts will be on hand to guide fans through the weekly action. Featuring some of the biggest names to have played the game, along with a line-up of the best and most respected commentators, reporters and presenters, the FOX LEAGUE team is the best in the business.

FOX LEAGUE TEAM

• League Life • Big League Wrap• Thursday Night League • Super Saturday

YVONNE SAMPSON

HOST

• Sunday Night with Matty Johns • The Late Show with Matty Johns • 197 NRL games• 4 Origins • 1 Premiership

MATTY JOHNS

HOST / EXPERT ANALYST

• Live NRL game sideline commentary • Over ten years’ experience with Fox Sports

ANDY RAYMOND

COMMENTATOR • Live pre and post-game coverage • 49 NRL games

ALEX MCKINNON

EXPERT ANALYST

• Host of The Fan• Live NRL game commentary • Over 30 years in the media industry, 27 of those as a

rugby league commentator

ANDREW VOSS

HOST & COMMENTATOR • The Professor’s Late Hit• After joining The Professor’s Farewell Tour last year,

Barney and The Professor co-hosted FOX CRICKET’s The Night Watchman.

ANDREW “BARNEY”BARNETT

HOST

• NRL 360 Host • 150 NRL Games • 2 Tests • 17 Origins • 1 Premiership

BEN IKIN

PRESENTER

• Controversy Corner • 392 first grade games as a referee

BILL HARRIGAN

ANALYST

• NRL 360 Legends Night• Queenslanders Only • 211 first grade games• 17 Origins• 3 Tests

BILLYMOORE

ANALYST

• Live NRL game commentary • Live NRL pre and post-game coverage • 288 NRL games• 4 Tests• 10 Origins • 1 Premiership

BRAITH ANASTA

EXPERT ANALYST

• Live NRL game commentary • In 2017 Brenton also commentated on FOX FOOTY’s AFL coverage

and FOX SPORTS A-League coverage

BRENTON SPEED

COMMENTATOR

• Sunday Night with Matty Johns • Live NRL game commentary • Live NRL pre and post-game coverage • 330 NRL games • 3 Origins • 1 Premiership

BRETT FINCH

EXPERT ANALYST

• Sunday Night with Matty Johns• The Late Show with Matty Johns • 170 NRL games • 13 Tests • 14 Origins • 1 Premiership

BRYAN FLETCHER

ANALYST

• Live NRL game commentary • Queenslanders Only • Live pre and post-game coverage • 347 NRL games • 13 Tests • 19 State of Origins • 1 Premiership

COREY PARKER

EXPERT ANALYST

• NRL 360 Legends Night• Live NRL game commentary • Live NRL pre and post-game coverage • 257 NRL games • 21 Origins • 24 Tests • 1 Premiership

DANNY BUDERUS

EXPERT ANALYST

• Sunday Night with Matty Johns

EMMA FREEDMAN

PRESENTER

• The Late Show with Matty Johns• Queenslanders Only • 214 NRL games • 13 Tests • 17 Origins • 3 Premierships

GORDEN TALLIS

EXPERT ANALYST

• Controversy Corner• 116 First Grade Games• Over 30 years as a sports broadcaster

GRAEME HUGHES

ANALYST

• NRL 360 Legends Night• Live NRL game commentary • Live NRL pre and post-game coverage • 265 NRL games • 6 Tests • 6 Origins• I Premiership

GREG ALEXANDER

EXPERT ANALYST

• Host of Queenslanders Only • League Life• The Late Show with Matty Johns • Live NRL game side-line commentary

HANNAHHOLLIS

PRESENTER

• The Professor’s Late Hit• Sunday Night with Matty Johns • 2018 will be the second year that The Professor fronts

his own show following the success of The Professor’s Second Year Syndrome

JAMES “THE PROFESSOR” ROCHFORD

PRESENTER

• League Life • NRL Sunday Ticket • In addition to her FOX LEAGUE role, Jess also hosts Fox Sports’

Supercars coverage

JESSICA YATES

PRESENTER

• Queenslanders Only • NRL 360 Legends Night• Live pre and post-game coverage • 251 NRL games • 13 Tests • 24 Origins • 2 Premierships

JUSTIN HODGES

EXPERT ANALYST

• Queenslanders Only • Live NRL game commentary • Live pre and post-game coverage • 291 NRL games • 11 Tests • 20 Origins • 6 Premierships • Current Queensland State of Origin coach

KEVIN WALTERS

EXPERT ANALYST

• Host of Try Time

LARA PITT

PRESENTER

• New Talent in 2019 at the top• NRL Commentary • Pre and post-game coverage • 324 First grade games • 17 Origins • 16 Tests • 2 Premierships

LUKELEWIS

ANALYST

• Queenslanders Only • Live pre and post-game coverage • 166 NRL games • 46 Tests • 32 Origins • 3 Premierships • Current Australian coach

MAL MENINGA

EXPERT ANALYST

• Live NRL game commentary • Live pre and post-game coverage • 174 NRL games • 15 Tests • 12 Origins • 1 Premiership

MARK GASNIER

EXPERT ANALYST

• New to FOX LEAGUE in 2018• Live NRL game commentary • Sunday Night with Matty Johns • From first grade footballer to Hollywood actor, Matt Nable returns to

Rugby League as a caller and the face of FOX LEAGUE’s feature stories

MATT NABLE

COMMENTATOR

• Live NRL game commentary • In addition to his rugby league role, Matt is a Fox Sports News

presenter and member of the NBL commentary team• Celebrating 13 years with Fox Sports in 2018

MATT RUSSELL

COMMENTATOR

• Friday Night Footy • Former Olympic and Commonwealth Games representative • Former Australian sprint champion • Celebrating six year with FOX SPORTS

MATT SHIRVINGTON

HOST• The Late Show with Matty Johns • The Professor’s Late Hit.• 330 first grade games • 17 Origins

NATHAN HINDMARSH

ANALYST

• Host of new FOX LEAGUE show The Greatest • Big League Wrap • Live NRL game commentary • Live NRL pre and post-game coverage • 275 NRL games • 8 Origins • 1 Premiership

MICK ENNIS

HOST / EXPERT ANALYST • NRL 360• The Late Show with Matty Johns • As one of the Daily Telegraph’s leading sports writers, Paul

has covered all the world’s biggest sporting events, including multiple Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, Rugby World Cups, Commonwealth Games, the British Open, Wimbledon, the French Open, Tour de France, Melbourne Cup and the Super Bowl.

PAUL KENT

HOST

• Live NRL game commentary • One of the most well-known voices in rugby league, Warren Smith

has 20 years’ experience commentating with FOX SPORTS.

WARREN SMITH

COMMENTATOR

• Live NRL game commentary • Live NRL pre and post-game coverage • 186 First grade games • 17 Origins • 19 Tests

STEVE ROACH

EXPERT ANALYST

• Controversy corner• NRL 360• Over 40 years covering Rugby League

PHILROTHFIELD

ANALYST

There is no more exciting live viewing experience than the thrill of watching sport on TV and for NRL fans, FOX LEAGUE will take that experience to a new level in 2019 with the introduction of 4K Ultra HD.

4K Ultra HD will provide fans with picture quality four times the resolution of HD and twenty times the resolution of SD. 4K Ultra HD will bring all the colour and excitement of the game into Australian homes like never before.

Rugby League in Australia is the epitome of strength, discipline and passion, with FOX LEAGUE bringing the very best of the game to life for our customers. We’re proud at Foxtel to be able to make that viewing experience more immersive, more accessible and more flexible than ever before.

The iQ4 is the most powerful set-top box in Australia and gives Rugby League fans the chance to not only series link their favourite team throughout the season, but it also gives them the ability to record three programs while watching a fourth, meaning they’ll never miss their favourite team in action or their favourite Foxtel program.

Foxtel Go lets subscribers stream that unmissable game on the move and Foxtel Now means anyone can sign up to FOX SPORTS and FOX LEAGUE at the click of a button and start streaming games there and then.

FOX LEAGUE is the channel that the game and the fans have been longing for and through the power of Foxtel, there has never been a better time to enjoy this great game than right now.

CEO, FOXTELPATRICK DELANY

CONTACT DETAILS

For more information visit www.foxsports.com.au/media-centre

Or email comms@foxsports.com.au