Fox League Explained

Fox League
Logo Alt:	Fox League Logo
Launch Date:	27 February 2017
Picture Format:	576i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
Country:	Australia
Language:	English
Sister Channels:	Fox Sports News Fox Cricket Fox Footy Fox Netball Fox Sports
Replaced:	Fox Sports 502
Owner:	Fox Sports Pty Limited
Website:	foxsports.com.au
Online Serv 1:	Foxtel Go
Online Chan 1:	Channel 502
Online Serv 2:	Kayo Sports
Online Chan 2:	Channel 502

Fox League is an Australian subscription television channel dedicated to screening rugby league (both domestic and international) matches and related programming.

Ownership and launch

It is owned by Fox Sports Pty Limited and is available throughout Australia on Foxtel.

The channel was launched on 27 February 2017.^[1]

History

On 27 November 2015, the Australian Rugby League Commission announced that Fox Sports had secured the rights to air all National Rugby League games excluding the NRL Grand Final (which continues to be aired on Nine Network) live for the 2018–22 seasons.^[2] Additionally, it was announced that the current rights agreement had been altered to allow Fox Sports to also have the live rights for all games excluding the Grand Final for the 2016 and 2017 seasons,^[3] however, a dedicated yet-to-be-named NRL channel to showcase these rights would not launch until the 2017 season.^[2]

In February 2017 it was announced the new channel would be called Fox League and would officially launch on 27 February 2017.^[4] Ultimately, Fox League replaced Fox Sports 2 on channel 502.^[5] ^[6]

In 2017, the NRL preliminary finals had 418,000 and 407,000 viewers.^[7] In 2020, Fox League began carried in Canada on the pay streaming service DAZN.

Programming

Event coverage

Sports programming on Fox League includes the following:

National Rugby League (2017–present; every game live except the Grand Final)
Challenge Cup (2017–present)
Super League (2017–present; three live games per weekend)
Pacific Rugby League Internationals (2017–present)
The Knock On Effect NSW Cup (2017–present; one or two games per weekend)
Hostplus Cup (2017–present; One Finals Series Game Live each weekend & Grand Final Live)
NRL State Championship (2017–present)
Pre Season Challenge (2017–present)
Charity Shield (2017–present)
Harvey Norman All-Stars (2017–present)
International Rugby League (2017–present)
NRL Women's Premiership (2018–present)
Pacific Championships (2019–present)
Rugby League World Cup (2022–present)
Women's Rugby League World Cup (2022–present)
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup (2022–present)
Koori Knockout (2022–present)

Special events

Dally M Awards (2017–present)
Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame (2018–present)

News and analysis programming

Fox League airs several studio shows including the programs listed below:

Kia Thursday Night Football (2017–present)
VB Friday Night Footy (2017–present)
Bundaberg Rum NRL Super Saturday (2017–present)
Chemist Warehouse Sunday Ticket (2017–present)
KFC Monday Football (2017–present; occasional)
The Late Show With Matty Johns (2017–present)
Sunday Night with Matty Johns (2017–present)
NRL 360 (2017–present)
NRL Tonight (2017–present)^[8]
The Fan (2018–present)
The Matty Johns Podcast (2019–present)
The Final 5 (2020–present)
Top 5 Rivalries (2020–present)
Vossy's Awesome 80s (2020–present)
Season's Best (2020–present)

Former programming

League 13 – to –1 (2017)^[9] ^[10]
League Legends (2017)^[9] ^[10]
On the Couch with Sterlo (2017)^[9] ^[10]
Narrow World of Sports (2017–2020)^[9] ^[10]
The Sunday Wrap (2017)
NRL Under-20s (2017)
Queenslanders Only (2017–2019)^[9] ^[10]
League Life (2017–2019)
NRL Schoolboy Cup (2017–2019)
NRL Touch Premiership (2018)
Rugby League European Championship (2018–2018)
Big League Wrap (2018–2021)
Controversy Corner (2018–2020)
NRL Try Time (2018–2020)
The Greatest (2018–2019)
Rugby League World Cup 9s (2019–2019)
Jersey Flegg Cup (2019–2019 NZ Warriors Home Games)
NRL Nines (2020)
Auckland Rugby League (2020)
Auckland Rugby League National 20's (2021–2022)
Benji (2022)
RFL Championship (2023)

Personnel

Network executives announced a number of key hosting personnel at the public launch of the station on 16 February 2017.^[11] ^[12]

Network personalities and the media attended the launch for Fox League's 2018 programming slate on 20 February 2018. Further key hosting personnel were announced, in addition to some pre-existing roles from 2017.^[13]

Hosts

Thursday Night League^[13]

Yvonne Sampson (2017–2021)
Braith Anasta (2021)
Lara Pitt (2022)
Jess Yates (2022–present)

Friday Night Footy^[13]

Jess Yates (2020–2021)
Braith Anasta (2022)
Hannah Hollis (2022)
Yvonne Sampson (2023–present)

Super Saturday^[13]

Yvonne Sampson (2017–present)
Braith Anasta (2022)
Jess Yates (2022)
Hannah Hollis (2022)

Sunday Ticket^[13]

Jess Yates (2017–2020)
Lara Pitt (2018–2020, 2022)
Hannah Hollis (2020–2021)
Braith Anasta (2022–present)
Yvonne Sampson (2023)

Sunday Night with Matty Johns^[11] ^[13]

Matty Johns (2017–present)
Bryan Fletcher (2017–present)
Nathan Hindmarsh (2020–present)
James 'The Professor' Rochford (2017–2021)
Emma Freedman (2018–2021)

Controversy Corner

Graeme Hughes (2018–21)
Phil 'Buzz' Rothfield (2018–21)
Bill Harrigan (2018–21)
Steve Roach (2018–21)

NRL 360^[11] ^[13]

Braith Anasta (2022–present)
Gorden Tallis (2023, 2024–present)
Ben Ikin (2017–2021)
Yvonne Sampson (2021)
Paul Kent (2017–2023, 2024)

Big League Wrap^[13]

Yvonne Sampson (2018–2021)
Michael Ennis (2018–2021)
James Hooper (2018–2021)

NRL Try Time^[13]

Lara Pitt (2018–2021)

The Fan^[13]

Andrew Voss (2018–present)
Lara Pitt (2020–present)

Queenslanders Only^[11] ^[13]

Hannah Hollis (2018)
Mal Meninga (2017–2018)
Kevin Walters (2017–2018)
Corey Parker (2017–2018)
Justin Hodges (2017–2018)
Gorden Tallis (2017–2018)
Robert 'Crash' Craddock (2017)

League Life^[11] ^[13]

Yvonne Sampson (2017–19)
Lara Pitt (2017–19)
Jess Yates (2017–19)
Hannah Hollis (2017–19)

The Greatest^[13]

Michael Ennis (2018)

The Late Show with Matty Johns^[11] ^[13]

Matty Johns (2017–present)
Gorden Tallis (2017–present)
Nathan Hindmarsh (2017–present)
Bryan Fletcher (2017–present)
Hannah Hollis (2017–19)
Paul Kent (2017–19)

The Professor's Late Hit^[11] ^[13]
(previously titled The Professor's Farewell Tour)
(also previously titled The Professor's Second Year Syndrome)

James 'The Professor' Rochford (2017–2020)
Brett Finch (2017–2018)
Nathan Hindmarsh (2018–2020)
Andrew Barnett (2018–2020)
Chris Page (2017–2018)

Matty Johns Face to Face

Matty Johns (2021–present)

Benji

Benji Marshall (2022)

Commentators

Play-by-play

Warren Smith (1995–present)
Matt Russell (2006–present)
Andrew Voss (2015–present)
Dan Ginnane (2019–present)
Brenton Speed (2017–2022)
Matt Nable (2018)

Special Comments

Greg Alexander (1999–present)
Steve Roach (2016–present)
Michael Ennis (2017–present)
Mal Meninga (2017–present)
Corey Parker (2017–present)
Matthew Johns (2019–present)
Cooper Cronk (2020–present)
James Graham (2021–present)
Tiana Penitani (2023–present)
Jessica Sergis (2023)
Emma Tonegato (2023)
Sam Bremner (2023)
Luke Keary (2023)
Mitchell Pearce (2024)
Will Chambers (2024)
Gorden Tallis (2006–2016)
Gary Belcher (2007–2017)
Brett Kimmorley (2011–2020)
Mark Gasnier (2012–2018)
Nathan Hindmarsh (2013–2016)
Kevin Walters (2016–2020)
Danny Buderus (2016–2019)
Justin Hodges (2018)
Luke Lewis (2019)
Shane Flanagan (2021–2023)
Benji Marshall (2022)

Sideline

Brent Tate (North Queensland home games) (2017–present)
Corey Parker (Brisbane and Gold Coast home games) (2017–present)
Tiffany Salmond (New Zealand Warriors home games) (2023–present)
Matt Russell (2006–present)
Lara Pitt (2007–present)
Jake Duke (2023–present)
James Hooper (2023–present)
Darcie McDonald (2023–present)
Niko Pajarillo (2023–present)
Eloise Sohier (2024–present)
Hannah Hollis (2017–2023)
Andy Raymond (2008–2020)

Narrator

Matt Nable (2018–present)

NSW Cup

Matt Russell (play-by-play)
Ben Homer (play-by-play)
Owen McLeod (play-by-play) (2019–present)
Mark Carroll (special comments)
Niko Pajarillo (sideline)
Jimmy Smith (play-by-play, special comments) (2012–2020)
Andy Raymond (play-by-play) (2008–2019)
Brett Kenny (special comments) (2018–2020)
Emma Lawrence (sideline) (2017–2018)

NRLW

Matt Russell (play-by-play)
Ben Homer (play-by-play)
Brenton Speed (play-by-play) (2017–2022)

Watch NRL

Outside of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Fox League operates Watch NRL, a global streaming network. The network streams all games live, including State of Origin and the Grand Final, unlike its domestic counterpart, who broadcasts these games on delay.

Notes and References

Web site: Fox Sports NRL channel to push game in Queensland with Suncorp Stadium launch. The Courier Mail. 12 February 2017. 17 February 2017. 13 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170213081329/http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/fox-sports-nrl-channel-to-push-game-in-queensland-with-suncorp-stadium-launch/news-story/5bf26a0cd48ecddfb7e119dd3d44e420. live.
Web site: Knox. David. New NRL channel coming as FOX Sports confirms multi-year deal. TV Tonight. 27 November 2015. 23 February 2017. 22 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170622085426/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/11/new-nrl-channel-coming-as-fox-sports-confirms-multi-year-deal.html. live.
Web site: Knox. David. Nine varies NRL deal, new Thursday night game.. TV Tonight. 27 November 2015. 23 February 2017. 22 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170622043037/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/11/nine-varies-nrl-deal-new-thursday-night-game.html. live.
Web site: Perry. Kevin. Foxtel confirms date for Fox League channel launch. DeciderTV. 5 February 2017. 23 February 2017. 24 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170224133838/https://decidertv.com/page/2017/2/5/fox-league-channel-to-launch-this-month-foxtel-foxsportsaus. live.
Web site: PaigeTurner. Foxtel combines sport and broadband in new promo bundle. Foxtel. 6 February 2017. 23 February 2017. Fox League will replace Fox Sports 2 on 27 February 2017.. 24 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170224132310/http://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Foxtel-Press-Releases/Foxtel-combines-sport-and-broadband-in-new-promo-bundle/td-p/178277. live.
Web site: PaigeTurner. FOX SPORTS More launches 23 February on channel 507 in HD. Foxtel. 16 February 2017. 17 February 2017. 22 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180822023355/https://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Announcements/FOX-SPORTS-More-launch/m-p/180114. live.
https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/02/2017-tv-the-final-word.html 2017 TV: the final word
Web site: Fox League 2017: TV schedule, programs, guide. 16 February 2017. 19 February 2017. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218210615/http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/fox-league-dedicated-rugby-league-channel-502-full-season-tv-schedule/news-story/0e4381a8d6620db9d1877e7dcb7b9897. live.
Web site: Women take pride of place in new FOX League channel. TV Tonight. 16 February 2017. 23 February 2017. 24 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170224052136/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2017/02/women-take-pride-of-place-in-new-fox-league-channel.html. live.
Web site: Knox. David. Fox League: Dedicated rugby league, Channel 502, full season TV schedule. Fox Sports. 17 February 2017. 17 February 2017. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218210615/http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/fox-league-dedicated-rugby-league-channel-502-full-season-tv-schedule/news-story/0e4381a8d6620db9d1877e7dcb7b9897. live.
Web site: NRL stars, new all-female panel of hosts launch the new dedicated channel Fox League. The Daily Telegraph. 16 February 2017. 17 February 2017. 16 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216094815/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/nrl-stars-new-allfemale-panel-of-hosts-launch-the-new-dedicated-channel-fox-league/news-story/f4309c33eca5516c717472a954ad81be. live.
Web site: Fox League: The Juicy Details. News.com.au. 16 February 2016. 17 February 2017. 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218070248/http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/fox-league-new-fox-sports-channel-will-revolutionise-footy-broadcasting-in-australia/news-story/6543721f8f9bf234286af3c57d32d4ed. live.
Web site: Fox League Gets Bigger and Better in 2018. Fox Sports. 20 February 2018. 20 February 2018. 9 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230709161746/https://www.foxsports.com.au/media-centre/media-alerts/fox-league-gets-bigger-and-better-in-2018/news-story/c7dab187a71a36b0b09dd6d2c565b83c. live.