Optus has emerged as a genuine bidder for the NRL's digital rights after paying $50 million to snatch English Premier League from Fox Sports in a move that is also expected to drive up the price of the next pay-tv deal between the NRL and News Corp.

Most in the industry were taken by surprise after Optus announced it was returning to the pay-tv market 20 years after playing in a key role in the Super League war by securing the broadcast and digital rights for the EPL for three years from the 2016-17 season, starting next August.

However, Fairfax Media was told Optus had contacted departing NRL chief executive Dave Smith soon after negotiations were opened earlier this year for the broadcast rights and the manner in which the telco succeeded in gaining the EPL rights supports claims Fox Sports had been complacent and was caught by the speed in which Channel Nine tabled an offer too good to refuse for four games per week on free-to-air television.

It is unclear whether Optus had indicated to Smith it would bid for the subscription television rights or simply the digital rights, which are held by Telstra, but the production costs associated with broadcasting NRL matches would probably be prohibitive in the term of the next rights deal.