OSCAR winner Russell Crowe has helped broker a television deal to beam rugby league's State of Origin Series live to 40 million viewers in the United States.

American sports giant FOX Sports will televise all three clashes between New South Wales and Queensland, starting with tonight's opener at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, as well as the NRL grand final.

The announcement follows a broadcast deal struck with the assistance of Hollywood actor Crowe, the co-owner of South Sydney, between the NRL and head of FOX Sports David Hill.

The deals sees the United States join the UK, Pacific Islands, Canada, north Africa and the Middle East, central and southern Africa and parts of Asia in broadcasting the Origin Series live.

"This new United States agreement significantly adds to the mainstream exposure of two of our biggest events," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.

"It sees more than 40 million homes across the United States now able to experience live the passion and rivalry of the 2011 Harvey Norman State of Origin Series and the Telstra Premiership Grand Final."