The Six Nations is set to remain on free-to-air television after rumours emerged that the BBC and ITV had struck an unprecedented deal that would see them share coverage of the iconic Northern Hemisphere tournament.
Against a backdrop of speculation that the Six Nations would become the latest in a long line of sporting losses for the BBC, it is great news for rugby fans everywhere who would still have access to the tournament if they do not have Sky/BT Sport subscriptions.
In the end, it is thought that only the former of the two pay-TV giants tabled an offer for the Six Nations, with the powers that be deeming it to be insufficient to have their heads turned from keeping the tournament on free-to-air television.
The Sky bid is thought to have been significantly higher than the BBC’s, as you would expect, but after the terrestrial giant teamed up with its neighbour they tabled an offer sufficient to ward off Sky.
That the BBC turned to ITV before BT Sport comes as somewhat of a surprise, after their successful anchoring of Premiership Rugby for the past two seasons, and their increased interest in Europe. They have also successfully reached rights-sharing agreements with the BBC for several programmes, including the Claire Balding show, which would make them a more obvious partner than ITV.
ITV are believed to have been interested after losing all of their Champions League rights for next season and consequently having some cash to burn. They will build on a limited rugby portfolio that does, however, contain exclusive rights to this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Following a finale to the 2015 tournament that saw record viewing figures on a day that will live long in the memory, it would be a welcome boost to the BBC, who have seen many of their flagship sporting rights – the Masters, Formula 1, the Olympics – evaporate in the face of pay-TV money in recent times.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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