Pro14 in talks with BBC over highlights

The Guinness Pro14 is in talks with the BBC over possible highlights rights after confirming that live coverage of the competition will be broadcast by Irish subscription channel Premier Sports and free-toair Freesports for the next three years.

The BBC admitted in March that it had lost the rights to show live games from the competition, which includes Scottish sides Glasgow and Edinburgh, from next season and the Pro14 formally announced the news yesterday, describing it as a “landmark deal”.

Premier Sports will broadcast all 152 games in the season in the UK, while Freesports will broadcast one match per round, with no more live games on Sky Sports or BT Sport.

Premier Sports is a Luxembourg-registered channelwhich is owned by irish man Michael O’ Rourke, who is a former joint owner of Setanta Sports, whose British operation went bust in 2009.

The channel, which currently shows South American football, ice hockey and rugby league, is available on satellite and cable TV and costs £9.99 a month or £99 for an annual pass. Freesports is available on Freeview HD channel 95, Sky channel 424, Freesat 252, Talktalk 95 and BT Vision channel 95. It is not currently available on

Virgin Media. The BBC has been broadcasting live Pro12/14 rugby since 2010, with much of the scottish coverage being done by Gaelic station BBC Alba, which has proved popular with viewers.

It is understood that BBC Alba is not involved with the discussions over any highlights deal but hope remains that the national broadcaster can maintain some coverage.

Dominic Mckay, the SRU’S chief operating officer and board director of the Pro14, said: “We’re delighted that Premier Sports are to become the key broadcast partner of the Guinness Pro14, every game will be broadcast live, in HD... for the next three seasons.it’s also fantastic financial news for the clubs and means we can invest further in Glasgow and Edinburgh to ensure they continue to compete with the best teams in the championship but also Europe.

“We think this is very good for the game in Scotland but also in presenting the competition across the whole of the UK, where you can watch an outstanding product live, in HD, every single weekend.”

He added :“i’ d also like to recognise the great work that’s gone in from BBC Scotland andbbc alba, who have done so much to elevate and promote our sport to this point.”