BBC Wins Six Nations Coverage Until 2010
The BBC has secured the broadcast rights to Six Nations Rugby until the end of the decade, in a deal that could bring the Corporation an average of more than 4 million viewers per match.
The wide-ranging deal, which covers television, radio, online and interactive coverage of the tournament, could prove valuable for the BBC after the recent Scotland versus England game was watched by more than 8 million viewers.
The agreement will be backed by a joint commitment between the BBC and the Six Nations to develop rugby at grassroots level. The two organisations will target schools with their joint RBS Six Nations – Give It A Go campaign designed to increase the uptake of the sport nationwide.
Commenting on the deal, BBC director of sport, Peter Salmon, said: “We promised that we would use the BBC’s unparalleled radio, TV, online and interactive services to boost interest in rugby – and we have delivered.”
He added: “We really value the Six Nations’ continued faith and partnership, which is a model for how we wish to work with rights holders going forward. The BBC and the Six Nations are committed to building on this rapidly growing interest in rugby across the British isles.”
The announcement of the BBC’s rugby coverage is the latest in a long list of recent sporting acquisitions by the Corporation. These include Moto GP, UK Athletics, England’s home football international games and Premiership rights for Match of the Day.
Last month the BBC dropped its long-standing commitment to the Oxford and Cambridge boat race after deciding the prestigious sporting event had become too commercial. This prompted ITV to snatch the rights to the boat race from 2005 in what could prove to be a lucrative deal for the broadcaster (see ITV Snatches Boat Race Broadcast Rights From BBC).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk
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