Sky Sports Secures France’s Top 14 Rights
Days after agreeing to share coverage of the new European rugby cup competition with BT Sport, Sky Sports has secured the rights to the French domestic competition, Top 14, in a new five-year deal.
From next season, the broadcaster will show over 55 live matches a season from French rugby’s leading competition, featuring stars from 28 different nations including Jonny Sexton, Jamie Roberts, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Matt Giteau and Bryan Habana.
It will be the first time Sky Sports has shown Top 14 rugby, with at least two live Top 14 matches and a highlights programme a week through to the Play-Offs and Final in June.
The top six teams at the end of the regular season will qualify to join the following season’s European Rugby Champions Cup, which was confirmed last week.
The new agreement between the two broadcasters will see the TV networks show 35 games each per season for four years, with pool matches shared equally, both will show two quarter-finals each and one semi-final, while the final will be broadcast live by both.
The French rugby deal is the latest in a series of long-term rights announcements by Sky Sports this year, including British & Irish Lions Tour 2017, PGA Tour Golf, IPL cricket, Scottish Football and Super League rugby.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said: ‘This agreement brings even more top class rugby union to Sky Sports. Top 14 rugby features some of the best international players and best teams and this deal strengthens our unrivalled rugby schedule even further.’
