Five Nations Rugby – Sky TV Bid

All major Rugby Union matches played in the UK, including the Five Nations Championship may well be heading for the screens of BSkyB viewers. The satellite company has made a bid for the broadcasting rights to each individual Rugby Union in the UK and Ireland. This follows an invitation from the Five Nations Television Committee to bid for international, representative and club rugby.

The bid will provide a huge financial bonus for the new professionalism of Rugby Union. Sam Chisholm, Chief Executive of Sky Television also sees Rugby Union as one of Britain’s top sporting events and is a huge opportunity for Sky, “If our offer is successful it will be a tremendous bonus for Sky subscribers.”

The current Five Nations contract is held by the BBC but expires after the 1996-97 season, but this may not be the end of live rugby on terrestrial television as a number of international and five nations games will be broadcast as part of the contract. Also highlights of internationals will be offered to terrestrial television. Mr Chisholm says “We recognise that there will be a need for coverage on terrestrial television as well, and our bid reflects this.” He also points out that the bid covers broadcasting rights and does not affect the way the Rugby Unions govern the sport.