The NRL is set to announce an agreement with Fox Sports that will net the code $175million for the rights to broadcast Saturday night matches.

Fairfax media reports that the News Corp-owned pay-television broadcaster have acquired the rights from free-to-air rights holder the Nine Network.

The report said the NRL commission will meet on Thursday morning to sign off the deal, with an official announcement expected later that day or in the coming days.

It’s estimated the total NRL rights package could be worth more than $1.8 billion over five years, including pay television, free-to-air, digital and international rights.