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Digicel Play has announced a partnership with the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Papua New Guinea which will see more people get access to watch the NRL in 2016.

The arrangement will see three NRL games per week aired on NBC as well s the mid-year ANZAC Test and State of Origin series.

Digicel Play will broadcast all eight NRL games each week, select Under 20’s matches, the ANZAC Test, State of Origin, Rugby League All Stars.

Digicel Play will also broadcast matches from the Queensland Cup involving the PNG Hunters and games from PNG’s national competition, the Digicel Cup.

Digicel Play has announced a partnership with the National Broadcasting Corporation which will see a number of NRL games also aired on the NBC’s free-to-air channel.

Digicel CEO, Mr Maurice McCarthy, said Digicel recognises that Rugby League and the NRL has a passionate following in PNG.

“We want to work closely with PNG’s state broadcaster to allow both our viewers and NBC viewers the chance to see the action at home,” he said.

“As the true home of Rugby League in PNG, Digicel Play offers an unbeatable service for our viewers. With Digicel Play and NBC we are reaching the whole of PNG.”

“PNG is going to experience NRL like they have never experienced it before and our partnership with NBC means key games will be free-to-air on NBC, as well as broadcast in high definition on Digicel Play,” Mr McCarthy said.

Acting Managing Director of NBC, Mr Kora Nou, said the availability of the NRL in every home in PNG with a TV set, meant that the partnership was a win-win arrangement for both the NBC and Digicel Play.

“We recognize that Rugby League is the national sport of PNG, and the NRL is the best club competition in the world. Through this partnership, there will be 100 percent NRL coverage across the country. Working together with Digicel means that the people of PNG can enjoy the NRL on whichever platform they choose.

“As the State Broadcaster, one of our core functions is to provide real entertainment; when it comes to Rugby League, the NRL is as compelling as it gets,” he said.

Since its launch in 2008, NBC TV has established itself as the platform for the National Government to provide information services and PNG content through news, current affairs, and supporting local communities.

“We are extremely happy that through this partnership we can now also broadcast NRL content to our viewers,” Mr Nou added.

The announcement is a major boost for PNG rugby league fans and is another step in Digicel’s full program of activity which goes far beyond just televising the matches.

A dedicated NRL page on LOOP PNG will provide game and coverage details and up to date NRL news throughout each day.

TVWAN will also air the popular TV show FanZone, and is launching a new program called ‘Rugby Review’ which will feature post game commentary by professional players.