Confirming what was widely rumoured yesterday, the BBC and ITV today announced that they would share the live coverage of the RBS 6 Nations for the next six years, to the end of the 2021 season.
The two broadcasters have joined forces in an unprecedented deal to keep the coverage on free-to-air television in the face of a Sky bid that dwarfed anything either of the terrestrial giants could offer on their own.
The BBC have agreed to lose their exclusivity two years early, meaning the new deal will start in 2016, rather than 2018 when the current deal was due to run out.
The broadcasters will split the games according to who is playing at home, as follows:
BBC to show: Scotland, Wales & France home games
ITV to show: England, Ireland & Italy home games
In a blow to the BBC, it means they will show under a third of England’s matches over the course of the six year deal – away to Scotland and France in 2016 and away to Wales in 2017, the rest of their games going to ITV.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “As ITV prepares to bring viewers exclusive, free-to-air live coverage of the Rugby World Cup later this year, we’re delighted to be strengthening our ties with the game by bringing audiences the first class, live action and unique atmosphere of the RBS Six Nations from next year.”
BBC Director of Sport, Barbara Slater said: “It’s great news for fans of the Six Nations that the tournament will be staying on free to air television. It’s a very special competition and our viewing figures from this year prove just how popular it is with audiences. We very much look forward to starting our new partnership with ITV and continuing our strong relationship with RBS 6 Nations.”
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