Channel 5 to show Premiership live

Quins v Saints is first live game on terrestrial TV Four more games to be broadcast in £1m deal

Channel 5 will become the first terrestrial broadcaster to show a top-flight English league match live when it televises Harlequins’ game against Northampton at Twickenham on Dec 30.

The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed in May that Channel 5 had signed a four-year deal, understood to be worth more than £1 million, to show five live games this season.

“This is a landmark day in the history of Premiership Rugby, taking the game to new audiences and showcasing the league at one of the world’s most famous stadiums,” said league spokesman. “It will also be shown around the world, increasing the global reach of club rugby.”

While the BBC used to broadcast live matches in the Heineken Cup before the tournament organisers sold the rights to Sky Sports in 2003, this will be the first time that top-flight English league matches have been shown live on terrestrial television.

Under the new contract, agreed after a competitive bidding process, Channel 5 will “simulcast” a total of five live games with BT Sport, who will continue to broadcast up to 80 live Premiership games per season.

It is likely there will be one more high-profile match shown before the start of the Six Nations in February, followed by three more after the tournament. The deal does not cover the top-four play-offs or final.

The new accord does not impact on the existing contract with BT Sport, which is understood to be happy to share some of the broadcasting of live games to increase the profile of the tournament, with the hope of then attracting new subscribers. The deal replicates an agreement between BT Sport and Channel 5 for cricket this year, when Channel 5 broadcast five T20 fixtures from Australia’s Big Bash.