Eels Blogs

“IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. My whole life’s been Rugby League. The shows they’ve done this year are outstanding.” Matty Johns
 

 “FOX are leading the way with this. It’s gonna be fantastic for the fans and get to watch it when they want. The players are gonna enjoy watching the shows and how they break down the game. “ Sam Burgess
 

 “It’s massive news. It’s one of its kind to be able to give back to the fans with a dedicated football channel with FOX LEAGUE is a massive step in the right direction.” Greg Inglis
 

“To be involved and on board with the brave new world of Rugby League 24/7 was too tempting and too exciting to pass up,” says Yvonne Sampson, “and I’m so proud to be a part of the founding crew of FOX LEAGUE.” Yvonne Sampson. 
 

It's the news that has got every hardcore NRL fan talking with a dedicated channel, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Welcome to FOX LEAGUE.

And get ready for nothing but rugby league, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The new channel goes live on February 27 and will replace FOX SPORTS 2 with the most comprehensive coverage of all things rugby league. Stream it live on Foxtel Play

FOX LEAGUE will have every game LIVE, ad-break free and in HD, where everyone's team deserves to be seen, right up to the grand final, including the early Friday-night games.

And it's the only channel if you're looking to settle in for the new double-header to kick the weekend off.


Here's your weekly guide to the ultimate 24/7 rugby league package in 2017.

NRL 360
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 6.30pm EDT

Ben Ikin and Paul Kent run the ruler over all the talking points. Laurie Daley and Kevin Walter join them for Coaches’ Night on Monday; on Tuesday it's Players' Night with Aaron Woods, James Graham and Benji Marshall; and legend Billy Moore gets a jersey on Wednesday's Legends' Night.

Monday Night with Matty Johns
Monday, 7.30pm EDT

Johns is joined by Gorden Tallis, Bryan Fletcher, Nathan Hindmarsh and Lara Pitt for the best wrap of the weekend plus plenty of laughs. 

"It's 7.30pm this year to be a little more family friendly. But how family friendly can you be when you've got Fletch in there." Matty Johns.
 

On the Couch with Sterlo
Tuesday, 7.30pm EDT

The league legend is joined by NRL greats and NRL news-breaker James Hooper.
Plus every week, Sterlo takes over the couch for a one-on-one with current and former players.

League Life
Wednesday, 7.30pm EDT

It's Australia's first all-female sports panel show … and it's all about league.

Get a fresh perspective each week as Yvonne Sampson, Lara Pitt, Jessica Yates and Hannah Hollis discuss the big games and the big issues.

Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany said it's a big step for the channel, which promises to have women involved “in every FOX SPORTS broadcast of Fox League, whether it's a game or a magazine show”.

Matty Johns declared, "It is outstanding! Jessica Yates is hardcore. It's not a fluff piece show. It's a really good show. The boys at NRL 360 had better watch their ****."

Queenslanders Only
Wednesday, 8pm EDT

Robert “Crash” Craddock is joined by Queensland legends including Mal Meninga, Kevin Walters, Gorden Tallis, Corey Parker and Justin Hodges. Yep, it's as one-eyed as it gets.

League 13-to-1
Thursday, 6.30pm EDT

Tara Rushton and Braith Anasta run through the greatest moments in NRL history with the biggest names in the game.

Thursday Night League
Thursday, 7pm EDT

Game night comes early in 2017. Thursday Night League host Yvonne Sampson and an expert panel kick things off with the best discussion and analysis of the game.

The Late Show with Matty Johns
Thursday, 10pm EDT

There's even more Matty in 2017 when he's joined by his team after the Thursday night game. Expect jokes, banter, pranks and left-field analysis.

"Put the kids to bed, it's on!" Matty Johns
 

Friday Night Footy
Friday, 5.30pm EDT

The ultimate Friday night footy fix, with double the action every week. You'll only get both Friday night games on FOX LEAGUE.

The first game of the season is the battle of the super coaches: Craig Bellamy's Melbourne up against Des Hasler's Bulldogs.

Then it's the blockbuster at 8pm when Robbie Farah pulls on the red and green to face his former mates at Wests.

The Professor’s Second Year Syndrome
Friday, 10pm EDT

The breakout star from Monday Night with Matty Johns, James "The Professor" Rochford, gets a gig of his own.

"The most dangerous show on TV", says Matty Johns.

Second Year Syndrome is a sharp poke at everyone and everything to do with the league.

Super Saturday
Saturday, 3pm EDT

The biggest day: three LIVE, ad-break free during play with games back-to-back, and where everyone's team deserves to be seen.

Matt Shirvington opens the day from the ground before Yvonne Sampson takes the reigns at Fox League HQ.

Sunday Ticket
Sunday, 1pm EDT

Jess Yates, Braith Anasta, Michael Ennis and Lara Pitt will deliver the double-header.

Kick back, relax and settle into a leisurely afternoon of LIVE league action in HD. 

League Legends
Sunday, 6.30pm EDT

Wrap it all up with one of Australia's best sports journos, Tim Sheridan, and this series of one-on-one, in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names to have ever played the game.

The shows launch on FOX LEAGUE – Channel 502 from Monday, February 27.
 

FOX LEAGUE Fast Facts:

How many live hours per week will we be showing on the FOX LEAGUE Channel – live matches + shows? 
32.5 hours per week on a full week. 

How much coverage each week?
168

How many shows on FOX LEAGUE? 
9 mag shows + 4 pre/post shows

How many are new shows?
 6 new shows in 2017. The Late Show with Matty Johns, League Life, Queenslanders Only, League 13-to-1 (did it in Finals only last year), The Professor’s Second Year Syndrome, League Legends

How many new faces are there in 2017? 
6 new faces in 2017 -Sampson, Hollis, Hodges, Speed (calling), Ennis (now full time), Parker (now full time)

- Peter Farquhar

https://www.foxtel.com.au/got/whats-on/foxtel-insider/fox-sports/nrl/fox-league.html