Warriors star Shaun Johnson's popularity on and off the field means he is constantly under the glare of cameras.

Warriors star Shaun Johnson has found himself caught up in an Australian broadcasting war.

Rival networks have signed up leading players to gain some exclusive rights in the battle for TV audiences.

Across the Tasman, Channel Nine have paid A$625 million (NZ$677m) for NRL free-to-air TV rights while pay TV network Fox Sports dished out even more to televise every game live. But that doesn't mean they can always talk to the players they want.

Phil Walter/ Getty Images Warriors star Shaun Johnson poses for a portrait ahead of the NRL Auckland Nines.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph says Johnson has a deal with New Zealand's Sky TV who are aligned with Fox Sports.

READ MORE:

* Webster: Pearce to find out who his real mates are

* Kenny-Dowell acquitted of domestic violence charges

* Shaun Johnson tipped for big impact in NRL 2016

When Channel Nine's Footy Show crew arrived in Auckland to interview Johnson as part of their preseason buildup, he had to politely decline because of his deal with their rivals.

New Warriors captain Ryan Hoffman filled in for Johnson, the star playmaker who is on the comeback trail from a serious leg injury.

Other players aligned to Fox Sports reportedly include Melbourne Storm stars Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, Souths' Greg Inglis, Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly) and Corey Parker (Broncos). They are also believed to be targeting Souths' English import Sam Burgess.

The players are only allowed to appear on Channel Nine in game-day interviews when their clubs are playing in a free-to-air match or they appear on news bulletins on that network.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Fox also have Dragons Kiwi star Benji Marshall and Sharks hooker Michael Ennis under contracts that prevent them appearing on a rival network before their Wednesday night appearance on NRL 360 each week.

Channel Nine have James Maloney (Sharks), Sam Thaiday (Broncos), Matt Moylan (Penrith) and Billy Slater (Storm) on their books.

The contracts can cover on-air appearances, marketing and promotional work.

Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston, the NRL's biggest star, has no broadcasting allegiance.

The NRL season starts this week.

The Warriors open their season with a game against Wests Tigers in Sydney on Saturday night.