Ten chief executive Hamish McLennan has said the commercial broadcaster is keen to regain rights to the Australian Football League, the top division of Aussie rules in Australia.
Ten shared the Australian free-to-air rights to the AFL with commercial broadcaster Nine and pay-television operator Foxtel between 2002 and 2006 and with commercial broadcaster Seven between 2007 and 2011, but has been without Aussie rules coverage since then.
The AFL’s current five-year deal with Seven, Foxtel and telecommunications company Telstra expires after the 2016 season, with talks over a new contract expected to intensify later this year.
Regarding Ten’s potential interest in AFL rights, McLennan told The Age newspaper: “Yes, we’re keen. All depends on what is on offer.”
Ten had previously televised two Saturday matches through the AFL’s home-and-away season and had been involved in the finals and grand final. Asked what rights Ten would be interested in, McLennan added: “Depends on price etc, but maybe Saturday again and what is on offer.”