Inside the ‘high-powered New York summit’ where Channel 10 bosses plan to scoop AFL rights from Channel Seven and Kayo with a $2.5billion offer
Channel 10 is making a big play for the AFL.
The struggling network is pulling out all the stops in its efforts to scoop Seven for the free-to-air broadcast rights, even flying AFL chief Gillon McLachlan to New York last week to meet executives from Ten’s U.S. parent company, reports The Australian.
The AFL is reportedly looking for ‘$2.5billion over five years’, and Channel 10 is willing to do ‘whatever it takes’ to secure the rights.
Big move: Channel 10 is making a big play for the AFL. The struggling network is pulling out all the stops in its efforts to scoop Seven for the free-to-air broadcast rights, even flying AFL chief Gillon McLachlan (pictured) to New York to meet executives from Ten’s U.S. parent company
Mr McLachlan met with the President and CEO of Paramount Global, Bob Bakish, in New York City on Thursday to discuss the AFL deal.
Also in attendance were Channel 10’s joint Australian bosses, Beverley McGarvey and Jarrod Villani.
Part of the sell to Mr McLachlan is understood to be Paramount’s ability to showcase the sport internationally via its Paramount+ streaming platform.
The product: The AFL is reportedly looking for ‘$2.5billion over five years’, and Channel 10 is willing to do ‘whatever it takes’ to secure the rights. (Pictured: Sunday’s game featuring the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions)
Paramount+ was recently launched locally, replacing the video-on-demand subscription service 10 All Access.
Seven has owned free-to-air rights for AFL matches since 2010.
Channel 10 previously broadcast the sport for four years from 2006.
Big wigs: Mr McLachlan met with the President and CEO of Paramount Global, Bob Bakish, in New York City on Thursday to discuss the AFL deal.( Pictured: Ten boss Beverley McGarvey)
McLachlan is also understood to have visited the California headquarters of both Amazon and YouTube last week.
According to recent reports, the AFL is seeking a broadcaster with deeper pockets than Seven, after years of falling ratings.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel 10 for comment.
High flyers: Also in attendance were Channel 10’s joint Australian bosses McGarvey and Jarrod Villani (second from right)