Australian Rugby League has signed a broadcast deal with US cable network, Spike TV.

The partnership will see the finals series televised in almost 100 million American homes and is designed to target Spike's key demographic of young adult males.

"Given the entire population of Australia is only 21 million people, having our play-offs aired in almost 100 million homes on Spike TV is a very exciting opportunity for our game,"  said NRL chief operating officer, Graham Annesley.

"I have no doubt that Spike viewers will love the physicality, speed, toughness and non-stop action of the NRL."

Rugby league's profile has been boosted in America recently by actor Russell Crowe's co-ownership of the South Sydney Rabbitohs team, which he has mentioned in numerous US media interviews.