The NRL and its broadcast and digital media partners will embark on a new five-year rights agreement from 2018.
Under the new rights agreement, the NRL Grand Final and the State of Origin series will no longer be available to live stream via NRL Live Pass through the NRL Official App.
Channel 9 will hold the exclusive broadcast and digital rights to those games from 2018.
NRL Live Pass users will still have access to live stream all 192 matches in the NRL Telstra Premiership regular season, plus the elimination, qualifying, semi and preliminary finals.
All Nines tournaments, All Stars matches, World Club Challenge and Kangaroos Test matches will continue to be available to live stream on NRL Live Pass.
NRL Live Pass will continue to provide full match replays of all Telstra Premiership matches, as well as full match replays of the NRL Grand Final and State of Origin matches.
Telstra and the NRL will continue to innovate and deliver rugby league fans a world class digital experience with a fresh app design in 2018, new innovative features and more in-depth coverage than ever before.
Taking a fan-first approach we have redesigned the NRL Official App to align with the visual design and usability of the new NRL.com responsive sites, set to be launched in December 2017.
The 2018 NRL Official App will have a cleaner look throughout the News, Draw and Match Centre screens, giving users an uncluttered look at articles, fixtures and the live streaming experience. There will also be more team and player stats available, creating an increasingly engaging environment for footy fans.
Telstra customers will also have access to special features in the app throughout the 2018 season, such as augmented reality 'Facepaint'.
From 2018, Live Pass users will no longer be able to live stream matches on laptops or PCs. Live streaming of matches will only be available via the NRL Official App on iOS and Android tablet and mobile devices.
The NRL Official App will also no longer be supported on Windows mobile devices from December 2017.
NRL Live Pass will continue to be included in all Telstra Mobile plans, or when pre-paid customers retain a minimum $30 recharge so that Telstra customers can stream matches live, fast and data free.
Non-Telstra customers can subscribe to NRL Live Pass for $3.99 per week or $99.99 for an annual pass.
FAQs
Why are the NRL Grand Final and State of Origin series no longer available on NRL Live Pass?
Due to changes in the NRL Broadcast and Digital Rights agreement from 2018 to 2022, Telstra no longer has the digital rights to the NRL Grand Final or the State of Origin series. Channel 9 will hold the exclusive broadcast and digital rights to those matches.
What games will I be able to live stream through NRL Live Pass?
NRL Live Pass users will have access to live stream all 192 NRL Telstra Premiership matches in the regular season (Round 1 to Round 26). NRL Live Pass will also have eight NRL Finals matches – the elimination, qualifying, semi and preliminary finals. All Nines tournaments, All Stars matches, World Club Challenge and Kangaroos Test matches will continue to be available to live stream on NRL Live Pass.
Can I still watch full match replays on NRL Live Pass?
Yes. Every NRL Telstra Premiership match, including all finals, the grand final and State of Origin matches, will have full replays available on NRL Live Pass. The full match replays are available on a 12-hour hold back due to the rights agreement. Full match replays will also be available for All Stars matches, World Club Challenge and Kangaroos Test matches.
Why can't I live stream games on laptops or PCs from 2018 onwards?
Due to changes in the NRL Digital Network and the new rights agreement, the live streaming of all matches will only be available on the NRL Official App on iOS and Android tablet and mobile devices.
Why is the NRL Official App for Windows phone being discontinued from 2018?
Only a very small number of our users access the NRL Official App via the Windows platform, and Windows themselves have reported that they will be discontinuing their phones. In 2018 we have decided to invest the costs associated with maintaining the Windows App into making our iOS and Android products even more user friendly and impressive.
I’m a paying annual subscriber. How can I cancel my NRL Live Pass subscription?
You can cancel your NRL Live Pass subscription at any time by accessing your NRL Live Pass account via the NRL Official App, or through the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store.
Can I get a refund for the remainder of my NRL Live Pass subscription period if I cancel now?
Refunds will be offered on a case by case basis.
