SCOTLAND’S four matches this October and November – against Tonga, Australia, South Africa and Japan – will all be broadcast live in the UK on Amazon Prime Video, as part of an agreement which has been brokered between the digital subscription platform and Six Nations Rugby.
Amazon will also show all England, Wales, France and Italy matches in what has been rebranded the Autumn Nations Series, while Ireland’s matches are to be shown on Channel 4 in the UK and on RTE in he Republic of Ireland as part of a pre-existing deal, before switching across to Amazon in the UK in 2022.
The deal carries on a relationship which began when the online service dipped its toe into the international rugby market by broadcasting the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup, a one-off competition designed to kick-start the sport after lockdown.
Super6: frustrated Ben Cairns challenges Stirling County to be clinical versus Ayrshire Bulls
Super6: comeback kid Jake Henry is making up for lost time with Southern Knights
Documentary offers players and supporters the chance to become part of rugby history
“We are delighted to be working with Prime Video again for the broadcast of the Autumn Nations Series,” said Six Nations CEO Ben Morel. “They were a fantastic partner last year and we share the same ambition to establish an exciting series that fans will engage with and enjoy.
“We have worked closely with all our Unions to agree a schedule of fixtures, that minimizes overlaps making it possible for supporters in UK and Ireland to watch every single match from the home teams in a series that will showcase the best teams in the Northern Hemisphere against the best teams in the Southern Hemisphere, with Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all featuring.
“The series will also be the opportunity for the public to enjoy some of rugby’s emerging nations, Japan, Tonga, Georgia and Fiji and witness some of rugby’s great growing talents.”
It was announced in May that the Six Nations Championship will not move behind a paywall for at least four more years, up to 2025, after the tournament organisers reached an agreement in principle and entered into exclusive discussions with BBC and ITV relating to the Men’s, Women’s and Under-20s competitions.
Subject to contract, it is envisaged that ITV will show all of England, Ireland, Italian and French home matches in the Men’s Championship, while BBC will broadcast all of Scotland and Wales’ home matches. The Women’s and Under-20s Championships will be broadcast on the BBC.
Super6: frustrated Ben Cairns challenges Stirling County to be clinical versus Ayrshire Bulls
I’ll be in the US for the first 2 games – does anyone know which Us channel will broadcast them?
Also does anyone know who has US broadcast right for the Edinburgh and Glasgow games?
And so it begins.
It will be interesting to see the viewing figures for these matches.
But money talks and the 6 Nations unions need the cash.
Not really a fan of having rugby behind a paywall, but if we have to in short term if prefer we didn’t go with the absolutely lowest standard of coverage available. Sky and BT look like Scorcese and Lucas compared to the awful Premier Sports and Prime.