Politicians call for Six Nations ‘free-to-air’ protection
THE Senedd’s Sport Committee has called for the Six Nations Championship to be protected so that it can remain on free-to-air TV.
The committee has now announced the publication of its report, arguing the UK’s secretary of state for culture, media and sport should move the tournament from being a Group B event to Group A as part of the listed events regime under the Broadcasting Act 1996.
This would mean the Six Nations would join the FA Cup Final, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Women’s Football World Cup and European Championships as protected free-to-air tournaments.
The committee is also recommending that the Welsh Government support this call.
It comes despite WRU boss Abi Tierney telling the committee it was imperative the option of moving behind a paywall remained on the table to maximise the TV market for rugby unions desperate for money.
The current deal with the BBC and ITV runs out next year, with the TV future of the tournament up in the air.
Delyth Jewell MS, chair of the Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee, said: “Rugby in Wales plays a unique role in our national life, and in particular the Six Nations, holds a special place for Welsh audiences.
“This was never far from our minds when we made the decision to call for it to be protected as a free-to-air tournament.
“We’ve heard loudly and clearly about the challenges the sport faces in terms of reduced playing numbers in Wales.
“Concerns have equally been raised with us about the effects of placing the tournament behind a paywall and the impact that could have on playing numbers – we were told that ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.’
“Many recognise the damaging effects that have been seen by putting cricket in the UK behind a paywall in 2006.
“Between 2006 and 2015, there was a 32% reduction in playing numbers. The same cannot be allowed to happen to rugby.
“Growing up, young people in Wales are inspired to take part in sport by watching rugby and it’s essential that the Six Nations tournament stays as accessible as possible.”
The committee also believes that Welsh language broadcasting of the Six Nations must be protected.
The report calls for the UK Government to take steps to protect full Welsh language coverage of the Six Nations tournament.