Australian Rugby League Commission officials will meet rival networks Seven and Ten later this week for talks which the game's administrators hope will drive the new broadcast deal past the $1 billion mark.
The commission has received initial offers from the current rights holders Network Nine and Fox Sports, and will head to the open market seeking the best offer.
Nine and Fox retain first and last bidding rights as part of their current deal with the league, but they would forfeit the right for last shot should either Channels Seven or Ten beat their initial offer by 20 percent.
