NBC secures Super League TV rights for PNG and the Pacific

Papua New Guinea star Edwin Ipape, who plays for the Leigh Leopards, is among more than 35 Pacific players competing in the UK Super League, highlighting the strong and growing presence of Pacific talent across top clubs in the competition (Image: Leigh Leopards FB Page)

Papua New Guinea’s national broadcaster, the National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC], has secured exclusive broadcast rights to air the UK Super League for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons.

The agreement means NBC will show all 191 Super League matches live in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

This is the first time the UK Super League has partnered with NBC, and the first time a Pacific broadcaster has been given commercial broadcast rights in New Zealand for a major international sports competition.

Under the deal, all matches will be shown live on NBC’s new Digital Television platform. NBC will also launch a new online streaming service, allowing fans across PNG to watch Super League matches anytime and anywhere.

To reach more viewers, NBC has started working with other broadcasters in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands by sublicensing the rights, so more rugby league fans in the region can watch the competition.

The Super League has a strong Pacific presence, with more than 35 players of Pacific heritage playing in the 2025 season. Papua New Guinea players include Edwin Ipape, Lachlan Lam, Liam Horne, Nene Macdonald, Rhyse Martin, Jeremiah Simbiken, and Jacob Alick-Wiencke. Players from New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Australia with Pacific roots are also featuring across top clubs.

These players continue to inspire young rugby league players across the Pacific and show the region’s growing influence in the international game.

Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of RL Commercial, welcomed the partnership and said PNG is one of the most passionate rugby league regions in the world. He said the agreement will help grow the sport and give more fans access to Super League matches.

NBC Managing Director Kora Nou said the agreement is a proud moment for PNG and public broadcasting in the Pacific.

"We are honored to bring the Super League to our audiences across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. Rugby league is deeply woven into our national identity, and securing these rights is a proud achievement for public broadcasting in the region.

"With our new digital TV and OTT platforms, we’re making Super League more accessible than ever. We’re also proud to be the first Pacific broadcaster to hold commercial rights in New Zealand for a
major international sports event," Mr Nou said.

He added that NBC is also working to make Super League matches available to fans in all 22 provinces through its provincial radio network.

The partnership marks a major step forward for rugby league coverage in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific