Network 10 owner ViacomCBS has secured the broadcast rights to all Australian national team soccer games for at least the next three and a half years.
The deal with Football Australia, hailed as the largest ever for Australian national football, will see free-to-air Channel 10 broadcast every Matildas and Socceroos match other than FIFA World Cup finals, as well as the FFA Cup, AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar, AFC Asian Cups, and other AFC tournaments until December 31, 2024.
The matches will also be available on Paramount+, the new streaming service to launch August 11 for $8.99 per month.
According to Beverley McGarvey, Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand, the partnership will give all Australians access to Aussie football.
“We are thrilled to partner with Football Australia and are proud to provide National Teams football and the FFA Cup unprecedented reach and exposure across our many platforms including on Network 10 and our new streaming service Paramount+.
“We will be showcasing all Socceroos, Westfield Matildas and FFA Cup matches, which not only complements our recently announced rights deal to broadcast every A-League and Westfield W-League match but reinforces our commitment to football in this country,” she said.
(from left) James Johnson, Football Australia; Beverley McGarvey and Jarrod Villani, 10 ViacomCBS; Sarah Walsh, Football Australia.
James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, hailed the deal as a vote of confidence in the future of Australian football.
“The Socceroos and Westfield Matildas have created many magical and iconic moments for our nation over the years and this partnership gives us the ability to connect two of Australia’s biggest sports brands with Australia’s favourite national knock out community tournament, the FFA Cup by showcasing this content to a greater audience and across multiple platforms.
“This exciting partnership also unifies the sport, by bringing all parts of Australian football together, including the A-League and Westfield W-League, on Network 10 and Paramount+, making it easier for the Australian football fan and beginning a new era for Australian football,” he said.
The rights were previously held by Fox Sports, and big players including Nine and Amazon Prime are also believed to have been interested. Optus Sport this month locked down the rights to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
