ITV Secures Rights To Rugby Highlights

ITV has secured the rights to air highlights of the Guinness Premiership English club rugby union matches this season, taking over from the BBC.

The new hour-long weekly highlights show on ITV4, which will be presented by Craig Doyle, will air on Sunday evenings at 6.30pm – a similar time to the BBC’s Rugby Special programme.

The show is expected to feature highlights from each of the 22 rounds of the regular Guinness Premiership season, with extra programmes for the semi-final and final matches.

Mark Sharman, director of news and sport and ITV, said: “ITV had a superb Rugby World Cup last year and we are delighted that our rugby coverage will now extend through the year.”

ITV currently has the rights to the Rugby World Cup, while BSkyB holds the live rights to the Guinness Premiership games.

The broadcaster signed a deal with Premier Rugby just in time for the new season, which starts on September 6.

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com