Sky 'retains Super League rights in £90m deal'

Sky has reportedly agreed a new deal to remain as the Super League's main broadcast partner until 2016, believed to be worth a record £90 million.

The deal, which represents a significant increase on the agreement that expires at the close of this season, is not expected to be officially announced until next month because details of the coverage of international matches, the Challenge Cup and the Championship are still being finalised.

According to The Guardian, the 14 Super League clubs have already been briefed about Sky's new deal, which is the second negotiated by IMG Sports Media on behalf of the Rugby Football League.

The RFL declined to confirm the deal, but said: "We are happy with the way negotiations are going with broadcasters and we hope they are drawing towards a conclusion."

Sky has held exclusive live broadcast rights to the Super League since 1995, when it paid £87m to secure the tournament when it switched to a summer season.

However, subsequent deals have dipped in value, with the agreement from 2004 to 2008 being worth only £63m, and the 2009 to 2011 rights snapped up for just £50m.

In February, RFL chairman Richard Lewis claimed that Sky would face stiff competition for the rugby league rights, with ESPN ready to bid for Super League from 2012.

However, Sky has now seemingly moved strongly to retain the sport that has continued to deliver solid viewing figures every summer on Sky Sports.

The Rugby League Challenge Cup final is currently one of the events listed on the government's 'crown jewels' sports protected for free-to-air terrestrial TV.

However, matches from the earlier rounds of the tournament are available to other broadcasters, including pay-TV operators such as Sky Sports.