NWSL Expands Global Reach with New Broadcast Deals

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NWSL TV rights deal
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The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced a series of new international media partnerships, significantly expanding its global reach ahead of the 2025 season. With coverage spanning over 130 countries, the new deals ensure broader access to live matches and highlights across key international markets.

Expanded Coverage Across Continents

ESPN has secured exclusive rights in Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Netherlands, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Disney+ Nordics will provide live coverage of two matches per week along with highlight packages.

In the UK, TNT Sports will air two exclusive matches weekly, while Canadian broadcaster TSN will show one game per week, with additional matches available on TSN+.

Brazil’s Canal GOAT and Latin America’s TV Azteca will each carry up to two matches per week.

Meanwhile, Dubai TV has obtained exclusive broadcasting rights for two matches per week.

For Australian audiences, Optus Sport has acquired exclusive rights to all NWSL matches and highlight packages, ensuring full coverage for fans across the country.

Global Streaming and Accessibility

NWSL+ remains a key component of the league’s international streaming strategy. Launched in 2024, the free direct-to-consumer platform will continue to provide non-exclusive matches, highlights, replays, and team content for viewers outside the United States via Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku TV.

In the U.S., more than 160 matches will be available across national broadcasters, including CBS, ESPN, Prime Video, and ION, while the remaining fixtures will be streamed for free on NWSL+.

NWSL Senior Vice President of Broadcast Brian Gordon spoke on the importance of securing multiple international deals at once.

“The NWSL is home to an incredible roster of world-class talent, including many of the game’s top international stars,” he said in a press release.

“As the global reach of our sport continues to expand, we remain committed to making our matches more accessible, connecting fans everywhere with their favourite teams and players.”

A Boost for Australian Football Fans

This expanded coverage is a major win for Australian football fans, providing unprecedented access to one of the world’s premier women’s football leagues.

With Optus Sport securing exclusive rights, fans can follow top-tier women’s football with ease, further enhancing the growing popularity of the sport and league in Australia.

This move not only strengthens the global presence of the NWSL but also supports the continued growth of women’s football down under.

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A-League Reaches Historic Goal Milestone as Viewership Surges

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A-League reach scoring and viewership record
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Just this week the Isuzu UTE A-League has announced it has reached the 500-goal mark in record time this season in line with another recent report of another increase of viewership for the a-league.

Highlighting an exciting period of growth for the competition both on and off the pitch.

Western Sydney Wanderers defender Alex Gersbach’s strike against Western United on Sunday became the 500th goal of the 2024-25 campaign.

The milestone was achieved after just 150 matches, making it the fastest the league has ever reached this tally, surpassing last season’s record of 152 matches.

The current season’s goal-scoring rate dramatically outpaces historical comparisons.

During the 2000-01 National Soccer League season, it took 159 games to reach 150 goals, while the 1996-97 campaign required 161 matches. The 2022-23 season needed 163 games to hit similar numbers.

This scoring record was presented the same time as the encouraging news on the viewership front.

The A-Leagues reporting an 11% increase to last season in total viewership audience for 10+ and 10 Play according to recent data shared by the competition.

The league viewership currently sits at 3.96 million nationally and is expected to hit 4 million people at the end of the season.

This is a record increase of viewership and shows the popularity of the sport in a very saturated sporting market.

The twin developments of record-setting goal production and increased viewership point to a positive trajectory for Australian football and its ability to be an enjoyable an action-packed season for audiences.

The growth of the viewership should be built upon in coming seasons and proves that the league is continuing to grow traction.

One must point out if there is a connection between the number of goals and the rise in viewership.

The spread of goals however points towards not a league with huge differing quality of teams.

Another point to highlight, is that viewership is high is also being backed up by the active support at the grounds.

Big matches such as the Sydney Derby has brought in huge numbers, however, it will be at the end of the season if we see an all -round rise in ground attendance.

With this year also capping of the largest increase in transfer revenue and playing minutes for under 23 players.

These results points towards a wealth of quality players who can excite the league and develop its quality.

Also, with this comes the opportunity for increased transfer opportunities, revenue streams and sponsorship deals.

The potential for this league and its increasing popularity is something that needs to be supported and developed in the coming seasons.

La Liga and HBS agree to five-year production deal

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Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia Investment Bank
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La Liga and Host Broadcasting Services (HBS) have agreed to a five-year deal to produce and distribute matches from Spanish football’s top two divisions, replacing long-time partner Mediapro.

HBS, which is owned by Infront, was originally set up to handle the TV and radio production for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan — and it’s been involved in every World Cup since.

These days, HBS also works across a range of major sports events, including the Rugby World Cup and the Roland Garros tennis tournament.

To take on its new role with La Liga starting in the 2025/26 season, HBS has teamed up with Italian company NVP through a joint venture.

HBS chief executive, Dan Miodownik, mentioned the great responsibility this is for HBS.

“It is a great privilege for HBS to have been appointed by La Liga,” he said via press release.

“We are very proud of our track record globally, and entering a new territory and partnership with such an esteemed client is an exciting opportunity.

“Along with NVP we look forward to working with La Liga to bring innovative and engaging coverage to audiences over the coming years.”

NVP Chief Executive Massimo Pintabona, expressed his excitement to collaborate with HBS.

“We are extremely proud to partner with HBS on this prestigious project,” he said via press release.

“This achievement confirms our commitment to excellence, continuous development and innovation.

“We look forward to contributing to the continued success of La Liga with our expertise and dedication.”

Mediapro, which has been working with La Liga as its production partner for over two decades, has strongly criticised the decision.

While La Liga claims that HBS scored highest in both technical and financial evaluations, Mediapro insists its proposal was stronger and more cost-effective.

In a detailed statement, the company questioned HBS’s ability to handle the contract and said it plans to formally challenge the outcome.

‘It is unprecedented that LaLiga has instead awarded the contract to a more expensive bidder — a Swiss-based supplier with no technical infrastructure in Spain and no prior experience in producing a full-season football competition of this scale,’ Mediapro said via press release.

‘Laliga’s decision is neither fair nor objective and we believe that it may jeopardise the production of the matches at the start of the season. It will undoubtedly harm the clubs and the competition both economically and in broadcast quality.

‘[Mediapro] is committed to defending its reputation — and that of its professionals — and will contest the outcome of the tender process through all available channels, both nationally and internationally.’

Mediapro will continue as La Liga’s international media agency through the 2028/29 season, handling the sale of the league’s international broadcasting rights.

The deal was renewed in 2023, but it no longer covers the Middle East, North Africa, or North America, as La Liga now works with different partners in those regions.

Mediapro also holds the rights to broadcast one La Liga match per week on its free-to-air channel, Gol TV.

This comes after a string of setbacks for Mediapro, including the loss of its contract with French Ligue 1, which led to the shutdown of its Telefoot subscription channel in 2020, and more recently, the sale and exit of its OneSoccer platform in Canada.

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