Six Nations games ‘look set to remain on terrestrial TV’
SIX Nations matches are set to remain on terrestrial television in a surprise new twist to the broadcast rights for rugby’s greatest annual tournament.
There have been mounting fears about games going behind a TV paywall, with Amazon, Sky Sports and BT Sport interested in landing the Six Nations.
However, fresh reports suggest matches will remain free-to-air, with Amazon likely to settle for the autumn internationals only.
Their venture into rugby with the Autumn Nations Cup proved successful and the retail giant see November matches as the prime time to attract new customers for their Christmas market.
According to the Times the sale of the rights for the Six Nations and autumn games is being done simultaneously to maximise revenues.
They say Amazon initially explored taking a “meaningful” share of the Six Nations, but claim they are leaving the path clear for BBC and ITV.
Sky and BT Sport remain interested, but the Times say they ‘need exclusivity in order to attract subscribers.’
That seems unlikely to happen, with Six Nations bosses keen for some matches at least to remain free-to-air.
The drama of Wales’ clash against France in Paris has further increased the appeal of the competition.
There is also mounting political pressure to stop the Six Nations going on pay-per-view, with MPS having previously expressed their concerns and the Westminster Government said to be fighting the cause too.
We reported at the weekend how the BBC’S new director general Tim Davie had personally intervened over the broadcast rights - citing the Welsh public’s love of the tournament one of the main driving forces.
He had stressed the importance to colleagues of holding on to rugby’s trophy asset amid a bidding war and has been ready to sign off a hugely improved joint BBC-ITV offer.
Davie pointed out that “64 per cent of the whole Welsh population” were watching a recent Wales game.
He was believed to be referring to the thrilling win over England.
He said: “There is a limit to our budget but it is utterly critical we protect things like that, because that’s where audiences get value from the BBC. So, that is of priority importance, that we can bring those big events.”
Previous attempts to put the Six Nations onto the UK Government’s “protected crown jewels” sports list, which would see it guaranteed free-toair status next to events like football’s World Cup, the Olympics and FA Cup final, have been rejected.
A Six Nations spokesperson said discussions began this week “with interested broadcasters,” pointing out, “No further comments will be made.”
A decision is expected next month.