DirecTV pays 40 per cent NFL rise

DirecTV is paying $1 billion a year for the rights for the NFL Sunday Ticket package, covering out-of-market matches, up from $700 million at present.

The deal includes broadband rights for the first time, allowing viewers unable to get DirecTV, such as those in apartment blocks or in areas with poor satellite reception, to watch matches on an online service that will be introduced no later than 2012.