FOX LEAGUE MEDIA KIT

WE ARE

In 2019 Foxtel broke new ground with the introduction of 4K Ultra HD and FOX ROVER bringing fans closer to the game than ever before. It only gets better in 2020 with FOX LEAGUE again bringing fans every game, every round, LIVE ad-break free during play and in HD, all in one place, on FOX LEAGUE with over 40 games also being broadcast in 4K Ultra HD throughout the season on FOX SPORTS Ultra HD. Also joining FOX LEAGUE in 2020 are two of the biggest names in the game, four-time Premiership winner, former Queensland and Australian star, Cooper Cronk, and Rabbitohs’ premiership hardman Sam Burgess.

NOTE FROM HEAD OF FOX SPORTS PETE CAMPBELL

And for the first time ever, FOX LEAGUE’s live game coverage will be headed up by female hosts with Yvonne Sampson, Hannah Hollis, Jessica Yates and Lara Pitt guiding fans through all the pre and post-game action in 2020, who will appear alongside arguably the best analysts in the game today FOX LEAGUE will also pay tribute to the history of rugby league in 2020 with a special 30th anniversary Simply the Best promo brought to life by Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes. At Foxtel the conversation around rugby league never ends. FOX LEAGUE’s suite of magazine shows will continue to provide fans with unrivalled access and insight into the game.

We have simply the best and biggest line-up of commentators to give fans unrivalled insight and analysis including greats of the game like Matty Johns, Mal Meninga, Kevin Walters, Michael Ennis, Greg Alexander, Braith Anasta and Gorden Tallis, who add color and opinion alongside our stellar callers Andrew Voss, Warren Smith and newcomer Dan Ginane. And if it’s entertainment you want, look no further than Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmash or our new Friday night late show “Narrow World of Sports”.

Last year was another strong year for rugby league on Foxtel with FOX LEAGUE again providing fans with unrivalled coverage and analysis of the NRL competition.

Fans can always stay up to date with the latest news on the game via our leading website foxsports.com.au or FOX SPORTS News. It’s set to be another incredible season and we can’t wait to deliver Rugby League fans the best coverage yet, all in one place on FOX LEAGUE, on Foxtel.

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. Foxtel will again provide fans with the best viewing experience in 2020 with over 40 games to be broadcast in 4K Ultra HD throughout the season on FOX SPORTS Ultra HD. The 2020 NRL Premiership on FOX LEAGUE is all about our Thursday to Sunday live action which is complimented with entertainment shows across the week featuring the biggest names in the game including premiership winners and new faces to FOX LEAGUE Cooper Cronk and Sam Burgess, as well as rugby league legends Matty Johns, Mal Meninga, Kevin Walters, Gorden Tallis, Braith Anasta, Steve “Blocker” Roach, Greg Alexander and Mick Ennis.

Recently retired Cronk, a four-time Premiership winner, former Queensland legend and Australian stalwart, and Rabbitohs hardman Burgess will bring new insights for our viewers. And FOX LEAGUE will create history with our live game day coverage will be headed up by all female hosts with Yvonne Sampson, Hannah Hollis, Jessica Yates and Lara Pitt guiding fans through all the pre and post-game action in 2020.

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 2020, FOX LEAGUE favourites return including NRL 360, Sunday Night with Matty Johns, The Late Show with Matty Johns, Big League Wrap, The Fan, Controversy Corner and and the next installment from The Professor, The Narrow World of Sports.

2020, IT GETS BETTER

2020 FOX LEAGUE LINE-UPMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

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

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 Ticket LIVE and ONLY on FOX LEAGUE.

LIVE COVERAGE

THURSDAY / 7PM

No-one does Thursday night footy like FOX LEAGUE. Thursday Night League will launch the round, with hosts Yvonne Sampson, Gorden Tallis and Cooper Cronk 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, Corey Parker, Sam Burgess and Braith Anasta will provide their insight and analysis for the round’s opening game.

FOX LEAGUE is the place to go for NRL fans looking for the full Friday night footy fix, with double live action every week. Hosts Hannah Hollis, Sam Burgess and Greg Alexander will be joined each week by a mix of experts including, 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

SATURDAY / 2.30PM

The biggest day of NRL action returns in 2020 and FOX LEAGUE will be the only place to watch all three games, LIVE, ad-break free during play and back-to-back. Host Lara Pitt will guide fans through all the action of the early game before handing over to Yvonne Sampson, Mick Ennis and Cooper Cronk for the final two matches of the evening.

Jess Yates and Lara Pitt, alongside Braith Anasta will 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 kickback, relax and settle down for an afternoon of NRL familytime with FOX LEAGUE.

SUNDAY / 1.30PM

FOX LEAGUE’s line-up of entertainment shows will have something for everyone in 2020, 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

SUNDAY / 6PM

FOX LEAGUE’s flagship show returns in 2020. Matty Johns will be joined by, Bryan Fletcher, Sam Burgess and Emma Freedman 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 / 7PM

Big League Wrap, offers fans unrivalled insight every Monday night. Host Yvonne Sampson will be joined on the panel by premiership winner Mick Ennis and respected journalist James Hooper to provide the sharpest analysis of the game and a look at all the talking points from across the round.

MONDAY-THURSDAY 6PM

From Monday to Thursday Megan Barnard will bring fans all the latest and breaking rugby league news from across the code.

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 2020 with club coaches joining the hosts throughout the season. Benji Marshall and James Graham team up each Tuesday for Players Night, while 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

Andrew Voss, Steve “Blocker” Roach, Geoff Toovey and Phil “Buzz” Rothfield go toe-to-toe every Monday night on Controversy Corner. The panel will dissect and debate the biggest issues in the game.

MONDAY / 7.30PM

TUESDAY / 7.30PM

The Fan is back in 2020 and will continue to look at Rugby League through the historical and quirky lens of two of the game’s biggest fans, Andrew Voss and Lara Pitt. Built around the upcoming round, Voss and Pitt will reflect on the game from the fan’s point of view, talking to the biggest lovers of the game along the way.

New to Fox League in 2019, The Matty Johns Podcast fast became the must watch show for all sports fans. Matty is joined each week by a host of the biggest names in Australian sport for a unique and entertaining chat about their life, sporting career and whatever and wherever Matty decides to lead the conversation.

WEDNESDAY / 7.30PM

THURSDAY / 9.30PM

The Late Show with Matty Johns returns in 2020 with the regular team of Matty Johns, Gorden Tallis, Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher 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 left-field analysis.

FRIDAY / 9.45PM

Every Friday The Professor and Barney dissect the week in sport. Covering the major codes as well as some of the more obscure sports, it is a tongue-in-cheek look at the alternative headlines.

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

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

MATTY JOHNS

HOST

• Big League Wrap • Thursday Night Football • Super Saturday • In 2017 Yvonne joined Matty Johns

as the face of FOX LEAGUE

YVONNE SAMPSON

HOST

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

ALEX MCKINNON

EXPERT ANALYST • Host of The Fan and Controversy Corner• Live NRL game commentary • With over 30 years in the media industry, 29 of those

as a rugby league commentator, Andrew Voss is one of the most respected voices in the game.

ANDREW VOSS

HOST & COMMENTATOR

• The Narrow World of Sports • 2020 will be Andrew “Barney” Barnett’s third year on

FOX LEAGUE following the success The Professor’s Farewell Tour and the Nightman Watchmen on FOX CRICKET

ANDREW “BARNEY”BARNETT

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

BEN IKIN

PRESENTER

• NRL 360 Players Night • Live pre and post-game coverage • 289 First grade games • 27 Tests • 1 Premiership

BENJIMARSHALL

ANALYST

• NRL 360 Legends Night• 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 also commentates on FOX FOOTY’s AFL coverage and

FOX SPORTS A-League coverage.

BRENTON SPEED

COMMENTATOR

• 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 • 375 NRL games • 38 Tests • 22 Origins • 4 Premierships

COOPER CRONK

ANALYST

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

COREY PARKER

EXPERT ANALYST

• The Late Show with Matty Johns• Pre and post-game coverage • 214 NRL games • 13 Tests • 17 Origins • 3 Premierships

GORDEN TALLIS

EXPERT ANALYST

• Big League Wrap• NRL 360

JAMES HOOPER

CHIEF NRL REPORTER• 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

• Friday Night Football• Live NRL game side-line commentary

HANNAHHOLLIS

PRESENTER• The Narrow World of Sports • 2020 will be the third year that The Professor fronts

his own show following the success of The Professor’s Farewell Tour, The Professor’s Second Year Syndrome and The Professor’s Late Hit.

JAMES “THE PROFESSOR” ROCHFORD

PRESENTER

• NRL Sunday Ticket • In addition to her FOX LEAGUE role, Jess also

hosts FOX SPORTS ’ Supercars coverage

JESSICA YATES

PRESENTER

• Live pre and post-game coverage • 251 NRL games • 13 Tests • 24 Origins • 2 Premierships

JUSTIN HODGES

EXPERT ANALYST

• 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

• Sunday Ticket• The Fan• Celebrating 14 years with Fox Sports

LARA PITT

PRESENTER

• 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 • In addition to his rugby league role, Matt is a Fox Sports News

presenter and member of the NBL commentary team• Celebrating 14 years with FOX SPORTS in 2019

MATT RUSSELL

COMMENTATOR

• Live NRL game commentary • From first grade footballer to Hollywood actor, Matt Nable returns to

Rugby League as a caller and is also the voice of FOX LEAGUE.

MATT NABLE

VOICE OF FOX LEAGUE• NRL Tonight Host • Live sideline commentary • Celebrating over 10 years with FOX SPORTS

MEGANBARNARD

HOST

• The Late Show with Matty Johns • The Narrow World of Sports • Pre and post-game coverage • 330 first grade games • 17 Origins

NATHAN HINDMARSH

ANALYST

• Big League Wrap • Live NRL game commentary • Live NRL pre and post-game coverage • 275 NRL games • 8 Origins • 1 Premiership \

MICK ENNIS

HOST / ANALYST • NRL 360• The Matty Johns Podcast• 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

• Controversy Corner • NRL 360• With over 40 years as a sports journalist, Phil “Buzz” Rothfield

is one of the most respected voices in rugby league.

PHIL ‘BUZZ’ROTHFIELD

ANALYST

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

has 21 years’ experience commentating with FOX SPORTS

WARREN SMITH

EXPERT COMMENTATOR

• Controversy Corner • NRL commentary • Live pre and post-game coverage• 206 First grade games • 17 Origins • 19 Tests

STEVE ‘BLOCKER’ ROACH

ANALYST

• Sunday Night with Matty Johns • Live pre and post-game coverage • 182 NRL Games • 1 Premiership

SAM BURGESS

ENTERTAINMENT / ANALYST

CONTACT DETAILS

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

Or email comms@foxsports.com.au