Football returns to free-to-air TV on SBS

SBS has secured the exclusive free-to-air TV rights for the Hyundai A-League in a four year broadcasting deal with Football Federation Australia (FFA).

SBS will also broadcast the Qantas Socceroos FIFA World Cup Qualifiers effective immediately.

The agreement sees SBS become the official free-to-air broadcast partner of the FFA.

SBS's coverage of the Hyundai A-League will commence from the 2013-2014 season and will be the first time the A-League is broadcast on free-to-air TV since the competition's inception. 

Welcome... Sydney FC marquee man Alessandro Del Piero has lit up the A-League (Getty)

Under the agreement, SBS has the rights to:

• One LIVE Hyundai A-League match per week on a Friday night;
• All Hyundai A-League Finals Series matches on a one hour delay;
• The Hyundai A-League Grand Final on a one hour delay;
• A weekly highlights show;
• Online and mobile rights including simultaneous streaming and highlights; and
• Radio rights.

SBS will broadcast the Qantas Socceroos FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on a one hour delay.

The spiritual home... Socceroos fans can now see their heroes on SBS as they strive for World Cup qualification (Getty)

"SBS has always championed the sports which unite communities and the world and with football being the world's biggest game it is fitting that the A-League and Socceroos will now have a free-to-air presence on SBS, building on our strong football pedigree," SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said.

"This agreement is exciting news for football fans across the country and will give all Australians access to the A-League and the Socceroos. We are proud to be part of this new partnership which will help take the domestic game in Australia to the next level.  

"The broadcast of the Socceroos will complement SBS's FIFA World Cup coverage, which SBS has the rights to all editions up to and including 2022."

"SBS is the spiritual home of football in Australia and our passion, dedication and football expertise is unrivalled. We are excited to continue to grow the game in Australia through this new partnership and deliver the high standard of coverage for which SBS is known across all our platforms, including on-air, online and mobile devices," SBS Head of Sport Ken Shipp said.

FFA CEO David Gallop warmly welcomed SBS as another important partner in the growth story of Australian football.

"SBS will significantly extend the audience reach of our major games for the Qantas Socceroos and in the Hyundai A-League, with benefits for our fans, clubs and sponsors," he said.

"The network has a long history of covering Australian football and today we open a new and exciting chapter together."

SBS will broadcast the next Qantas Socceroos FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Oman in Sydney from 8pm Tuesday 26 March 2013 on SBS ONE.