Rugby Union has become the first sport to challenge the power of satellite television,. An £87.5m deal made between the English RFU and BSkyB, including coverage of all England matches live on Sky with highlights available selectively (and later) on terrestrial television, has angered the Welsh, Scottish, Irish and French teams. The end result is that England have been thrown out of the tournament.
The agreement BSkyB Signs Rugby Deal Worth £87.5m, allowed England matches in full, as highlights, to be broadcast on BSkyB with special matches, including the Five Nations Championship, shown on terrestrial television. This was part of the RFU’s commitment to allow terrestrial coverage for what has always been believed to be the people’s tournament.
Sources say a reprieve for England is still possible and Tom Kierney, Five Nations committee chairman, has today urged England to enter negotiations as soon as possible.
BSkyB: 0171 705 3000
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