• Fox Sports advertising enjoys a stellar season as big brands back footy codes
• Most sponsors are backing both NRL and AFL
• Subscriber numbers expected to go up for Kayo sports streaming service

Sydney –  X March 2020: Foxtel Media today revealed a stellar line up of brands have signed up as partners for Fox Sports 2020 NRL coverage, with top tier advertisers backing both Fox League and Fox Footy.

New 2020 NRL new sponsors include household names such as Chemist Warehouse, Workwear Group (Hard Yakka) and Ashley and Martin - all of which have major partnerships spanning both AFL and NRL.

Returning sponsors from the 2019 season include McDonald’s, KFC, TAB, Harvey Norman, Bundaberg Rum, Coca Cola, Beam Australia, Toyota, and Bailey Ladders. 

Foxtel also anticipates growth in audience numbers, with the footy codes traditionally drawing higher audiences than summer cricket. In 2019, Fox League and Fox Footy delivered a total channel reach of 5.4 million, with combined live matches reaching 4.8 million[1].

"These partnerships with top Australian and international brands really show the power of Fox Sports advertising - we really are the number one platform for sports advertising. Our powerbrands, Fox League and Fox Footy, consistently rate as the two top Foxtel channels during the winter code timings, drawing the most sponsors. It’s very encouraging to see the majority of sponsors supporting both codes,” says Martin Medcraf, Foxtel Sales and Brand Partnerships Director Foxtel Sales and Brand Partnerships Director.

“We’re excited to welcome back some of Australia’s best brands to the footy as we kick off in 2020 – this year we’ve seen a select ground of brands looking to invest more heavily into the country’s favourite sports, and this is reflected in our brand line up for the year.”

Kayo subscriber numbers are also expected to surge as Foxtel’s sports streaming service kicks off its winter sports marketing push with a campaign featuring NRL players Alex Glenn and Luke Keary, as well as AFL players Dion Prestia and Sam Walsh.

“Every game of every round of the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership and Toyota AFL Premiership will be broadcast live on Kayo, and ad-break free during play, resulting in a highly engaged and receptive audience.. As well as every AFL and NRL game, fans can follow all the live action from the Formula OneTM, Supercars, Super Rugby, The Masters, Wimbledon and the NBA Finals. We’re also running a 14-day free trial which is drawing in a lot of new viewers,” Medcraf added.

[1] Source: OzTAM, National Panel 1/01/2019 - 31/12/2019, 0600-2359, FOX FOOTY, FOX LEAGUE, Live AFL, Live NRL, Reach, Total People, Consolidated to 27/02/2020