Barring a sudden breakthrough on Thursday morning, the AFL's television rights negotiations will drag on until at least the middle of next week.

The Seven Network are tipped to win the bid for free-to-air rights in a deal the league hopes will net them at least $1 billion.

Telstra are also understood to be bidding for one game to be simulcast live each weekend on the internet.

The AFL and the television networks have had intense negotiations over the last few weeks and there was an expectation the new deal would be unveiled before Easter.

Given the importance of the agreement, it is unlikely the league would make an announcement over the holiday period.

The AFL and the networks remain publicly tight-lipped over the negotiations and several sources are doubtful of a deal being finalised before Good Friday.

But there was also a belief that the parties weren't far from finalising the mammoth agreement.

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