ITV And BBC To Share Six Nations Rights

09 Jul 2015 | tshego

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BBC and commercial broadcaster ITV have signed a new six-year deal where they will share the rights to the Six Nations from next year’s tournament.

The deal, which will run from 2016 to 2021, will see BBC lose the exclusive rights to the Six Nations, with ITV covering the competition for the first time. The BBC’s existing rights package, which is worth £40m per year, was due to expire in 2017.

Under the terms of the deal, ITV will show live coverage of England, Ireland and Italy home matches and Scotland Wales and France away matches, whilst BBC will broadcast live coverage of Scotland, Wales and France home matches and England Ireland and Italy away matches.

It is reported that the new deal, which will ensure that the Six Nations stay on free-to-air television in the UK, was of interest to pay-television broadcaster Sky.

Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, but according to The Daily Telegraph the deal is worth approximately £50m per year.

Niall Sloane, director of sport, ITV, 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 6 Nations from next year.”

Barbara Slater, BBC director of sport, added: “It’s great news for fans of the Six Nations that the championship 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.