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Channel Seven's new rugby league panel show The Agenda Setters: Rugby League is set to make its debut tonight, but one unusual decision is sure to leave fans puzzled.
The program, which is part of the network's broader push into rugby league coverage, is being filmed in Melbourne.
That puts the show in the capital of AFL territory rather than the traditional rugby league strongholds of New South Wales or Queensland.
The move has raised eyebrows across the game, particularly as Seven positions itself as a serious contender for future NRL broadcast rights.
The show, fronted by former Brisbane Broncos premiership winner Corey Parker alongside Luke Keary, Aaron Woods, David Riccio, Jelisa Apps and Matt White, is designed to tackle the biggest headlines and controversies in the sport each week.
The new footy show on Channel Seven features (left to right) former NRL stars Luke Keary, Corey Parker and Aaron Woods, as well as NRL reporters David Riccio and Jelisa Apps, and veteran sport presenter Matt White
The initial episodes will be filmed in Melbourne, deep in AFL heartland, while the Sydney set is prepared (pictured, the Melbourne Storm in their win over Parramatta last Thursday night)
Seven insists the Melbourne location is only temporary.
'The Sydney-based studio that Seven will use for The Agenda Setters: Rugby League is still being completed and has been delayed slightly due to factors outside of the network's control,' Seven's director of sport Chris Jones said.
'In the meantime, to deliver a seamless viewer experience, we've made the call to record the show from existing studio facilities in Melbourne.
'While we'd love to be in Sydney from day one, this temporary setup won't impact the viewer experience.
'In fact, it will make the imminent move to Sydney even more seamless because the show will look exactly the same on screen.'
The show is part of a much bigger strategy from Seven Network as it positions itself for the next NRL broadcast rights cycle.
The current broadcast deal with Nine Network and Foxtel is worth more than $1.7billion and runs through to the end of the 2027 season.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys is already targeting a much bigger payday for the next deal beginning in 2028.
Channel Seven aims to challenge rival network Nine for the rights to broadcast the NRL
The next broadcast deal, including pay television rights, could soar into the billions
League powerbrokers believe the value of the competition will continue to grow in the coming years.
The governing body is hoping the next broadcast agreement could reach somewhere between $3billion and $4billion.
That figure would place the NRL closer to the massive deals seen in other major Australian sports competitions.
International streaming platforms are also expected to show interest when negotiations intensify. Companies such as Amazon and Netflix have both been linked to future discussions regarding the rights.
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