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TELSTRA AND AFL SIGN A$60 MILLION DEAL

Australian telecoms company Telstra signed Australia's biggest ever "new media" content deal with the Australian Football League, paying A$60 million over five years for the exclusive rights to show match footage on mobile phones and the internet.

The deal was announced as part of Telstra's major strategy update and the start of its expansion of high speed internet access in Australia. Telstra's BigPond internet service will offer viewers full match video replays 12 hours after the final whistle.

It will also offer video highlights during and after each quarter, extended match highlights, video downloads that can be transferred to portable devices, and special features such as Fantasy Football and content from the clubs.

Content will also be available on Telstra's new 3G broadband mobile network "Next G", which boasts 12 channels of Foxtel television, sport and movie downloads.