Premier League to get free-to-air TV coverage in 2022

National Indigenous Television (NITV) will broadcast Western Australia’s men’s and women’s Premier League in an historic first for Hockey WA’s premier open-age club competition.

The agreement, to be finalised shortly, will span the 2022 season, and takes Hockey WA’s Premier League, arguably the world’s best club hockey competition, to NITV with selected games live and on demand through the SBS On Demand platform.

A highlight of the partnership will see men’s and women’s Premier League competition matches replayed on NITV on Saturdays at 1pm AEST throughout the year.

“We are delighted to be in the final stages of cementing this ground-breaking partnership with NITV and SBS and can’t wait to take our competition to substantial audiences on free-to-air television and on-demand services across the country,” Hockey WA General Manager Commercial Operations, Media and Marketing Nicholas Janzen says.

“Hockey is truly a sport for all, with equal participation across men and women and from cradle to grave, and we see this as a partnership that satiates those markets as well as help capture new fans, players and exposure.

“We are delighted to build our sport’s exposure, increase the footprint of Hockey WA’s Premier League and look forward to a strong partnership across the next few years.”

Adam Manovic Head of Entertainment, Events & Creative, NITV:

“Here at NITV, we are thrilled to be partnering with Hockey WA,” Mr Manovic says.

“WA’s club hockey scene is a brilliant competitive landscape, and we look forward to sharing it with audiences Australia wide, free to air.”

Hockey WA CEO Fabian Ross said the partnership was an historic one for the sport in Western Australia and across the country.

“This is a huge moment for hockey – whether you’re a local fan or one from interstate,” Mr Ross says.

“Thank you to NITV and SBS and our production partners at Local Media Services Company for their support in helping this become a reality.

“We’re very excited about the direction hockey is headed and look forward to taking the game to more people throughout WA, across the country and around the world than ever before.”