BBC Secures RFU Highlights Deal

14 Jul 2015 | tshego

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The BBC and the RFU have announced a new highlights agreement for the upcoming QBE Internationals, providing coverage of all England’s autumn matches on BBC TV until the end of the 2019/20 season.

The new agreement includes highlights of England’s summer QBE Internationals this August and September on BBC Two. All coverage will be available on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC retains the live radio rights to these matches for the same term.

England will play France home and away on 15th and 22nd August respectively, before hosting Ireland on 5th September ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015. The tournament hosts will kick-off the competition – to be broadcast in the UK by ITV – against Fiji on 18th September.

Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU chief commercial and marketing officer, said: “This is excellent news for England Rugby as we continue our strong partnership with the BBC which ensures fans can see, hear and enjoy the very best action England has to offer every autumn.”

Barbara Slater, director, BBC Sport, added: “We’re very pleased to continue our relationship with the RFU. This valued partnership offers audiences the best of the action from the England team through our television highlights programmes and live radio coverage and we look forward to following their path to this year’s Rugby World Cup and onwards.

“Following last week’s announcement of our new deal for live RBS 6 nations coverage until 2021, this confirms the BBC’s commitment to bringing the best action in international rugby to the nation.”

The BBC will also now be showing the men’s Varsity match live for the next five years, as well as highlights of the women’s Varsity match.