The W-League, the top tier of women’s club football in Australia, has secured free-to-air exposure through a rights deal with public-service broadcaster SBS.
SBS has agreed the deal with Football Federation Australia and its rights partner, pay-television broadcaster Fox Sports.
Starting October 27 and running until February 2018, the SBS Viceland channel will simulcast up to two W-League games from the 2017-18 season each week, at 5pm on Fridays and on Sunday afternoons, plus the semi-finals and grand final live. Fox Sports will also step up its coverage from 17 games last season to 27 this season.
In addition, SBS will broadcast the Australian women’s national team’s November friendlies against China on SBS and SBS Viceland. These games, along with the W-League matches, will also be simulcast in Australia via The World Game website and The World Game app operated by SBS.
FFA chief executive David Gallop said: “The 10th season of the W-League is shaping up as the best yet. With the likes of Sam Kerr, Lisa De Vanna and Emily Van Egmond we have some of the world’s best players now coming to you every week on SBS.
“I think we’ve hit a tipping point for women’s football and our partnership with SBS and Fox Sports will bring the game to more people than ever before.”