BBC Retains Champions Cup Rights
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced that BBC Sport will remain the radio home of Champions Cup rugby in the United Kingdom following the agreement of a three-year extension to the current rights deal through until the end of the 2020/21 season.
The broadcast partnership between EPCR and the BBC will continue to deliver comprehensive audio coverage of the best of European club rugby on BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra.
The deal will continue to include BBC Nations, with radio commentary of both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup also available across the regions via BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Ulster. Broadcasts by the BBC World Service also remain a part of the new agreement.
A total of 59 European club matches were broadcast by BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra during the 2016/17 season.
EPCR chief executive, Vincent Gaillard, said: “The quality and depth of BBC radio coverage is an excellent fit for the Champions Cup and we are really excited to be continuing our partnership. The BBC’s renowned expertise in rugby broadcasting is reflected across multiple platforms and we see the organisation as a natural radio home in the United Kingdom for European club rugby’s blue-riband tournament.”
Ben Gallop, head of BBC Radio Sport, said: “This new three-year deal is great news and I’m really pleased we are continuing to work with EPCR. The new deal means rugby union fans will be able to hear commentary on the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup through to the 2020/21 season on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra, as well as BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Ulster.”
