SIX NATIONS RUGBY has entered into exclusive discussions with BBC and ITV after reaching an agreement in principle to show all three championships (Men’s Guinness Six Nations, Women’s Six Nations and Men’s Under-20’s) on those networks.
The agreement has a four-year term starting in 2022 and ending after the 2025 Championships.
The plan is for all England, Ireland, Italian and French home matches in the Six Nations to be shown on ITV, while the BBC will broadcast all of Scotland and Wales’ home matches.
Meanwhile, the Women’s and Men’s Under-20s Six Nations will be broadcast exclusively on the BBC.
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“This is exciting news for fans and for our Championships,” said Ben Morel, Chief Executive Officer of Six Nations Rugby. “Both BBC and ITV have been excellent partners in recent years playing an important role in sharing the incredible moments that the Six Nations always produces, and celebrating the special place our Championships hold in the hearts of fans.
“I’m particularly excited by the opportunity to grow the Women’s game with an invested broadcast partner in the BBC who is as committed as we are. We’re looking forward to working with them both as we continue to raise the bar and bring Rugby’s Greatest Championships to ever-growing numbers across the UK.”
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, added: “For the millions of Six Nations fans across the UK, the Championships remaining free-to-air is wonderful news. We look forward to delivering live action from both the Men’s and Women’s as well as the Men’s Under-20’s Championships to the widest possible audience over the next four seasons. BBC Sport has led the way in increasing the profile of Women’s sports, so we are thrilled to now include the Women’s Six Nations as a permanent fixture on our broadcast calendar.”
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “ITV is delighted to have reached this agreement, which extends free-to-air coverage of such an important tournament and will ensure it remains centre stage each spring. With the addition of France home games to those of England, Ireland and Italy, we look forward to bringing ITV viewers a wealth of superb rugby from the Six Nations in the coming years.”
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Got to be good news. Certainly better than Amazon – genuinely believing I had tuned into the pre-March coverage of the england game later in the day during the autumn, I contacted Amazon customer services to ask if I had the “channel” showing the scotland game!
This is great news. The fan rebellion against football’s European Super League and the player revolt against NZ rugby’s own private equity deal suggests the tide may be turning against some of the more avaricious elements within pro sport. The pessimist in me thinks CVC may still be playing the long game and eying up a pay TV deal in future. But for the time being let’s celebrate the fact that anyone in Scotland with access to a TV set can watch their national team play rugby.
Good news, hopefully the pro 16 can return to council tv too rather than with premier sports.
Finally some kinda good news in this strange world we are living in just now three cheers for the BBC and itv
This is excellent news. I had huge fears that rugby would disappear behind the paywall.
It possibly shows that the grass isn’t always greener. See the football roll over contract.