Six Nations Faces Paywall Shift with Leading Broadcaster Taking the Helm
12/06/2024 05:07 AM
The future of the Six Nations on the BBC looks increasingly uncertain after a record-breaking £100 million per year was slapped on the tournament's UK broadcast rights.
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With the current broadcasting deal set to expire in March, this price hike could push the Six Nations away from free-to-air TV, according to the Mail Online.
BBC & ITV: A Partnership Under Threat
Currently, the Six Nations broadcasting rights are split between the BBC and ITV, with S4C providing Welsh-language coverage. This setup has made the tournament accessible to millions of fans. But with the current deal, worth £90 million per year, nearing its end, the tender process is about to kick off, and the BBC's ability to keep up with the financial demands is under serious strain.
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Can the BBC Afford It?
The BBC has been open about the financial pressures it’s facing. With budgets tightening and a new leadership team focused on cutting costs, the broadcaster has already hinted that they may struggle to afford their share of the Six Nations rights. This opens the door to a potential joint deal between ITV and TNT Sports, which would mean fans might need a subscription to catch all the action.
Other broadcasters in the mix could include Premier Sports, Sky, Netflix and Prime Video.
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The Battle for Broadcast Rights Begins
Six Nations officials are gearing up for an open tender process, inviting bids from traditional broadcasters and streaming platforms alike. Based in London's Victoria, Six Nations chiefs are weighing their options—do they go for maximum revenue or prioritize keeping the tournament free-to-air?
TNT Sports Steps Up
TNT Sports, a rising player in the rugby broadcasting world, is seen as a likely candidate to swoop in. Backed by Warner Brothers, TNT already has a joint FA Cup deal with the BBC and could explore a similar setup for the Six Nations. This hybrid model might be the compromise needed to satisfy both the fans and the commercial interests.
Political Pressure to Keep It Free
The debate over whether the Six Nations should remain free-to-air has become a political hot topic. Earlier this year, the Welsh government pushed for the tournament to be granted A-grade protected status, which would ensure it stays on terrestrial TV. However, the request was denied, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) confirmed that there are no current plans to change the rules.
What's Next for the Fans?
As the tender process unfolds, it's becoming clear that the Six Nations might be heading towards a subscription-based future. The BBC's financial challenges, combined with rising broadcast rights costs, mean that fans may soon need to pay to watch the tournament they love.
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2025 Six Nations fixtures confirmed, England handed worst possible start
As per this year, the 2025 Championship will see BBC and ITV sharing coverage in the UK, with S4C offering Welsh language options. France Television will be the home of the Championship for French fans, RTE and Virgin Media will once again cover the games in Ireland.
In Italy, Sky Italia will continue their coverage of the Championship in 2025. The host broadcast coverage will also be complemented by widespread international broadcast coverage and a World Feed service.
2025 Siz Nations Fixtures
ROUND 1
- Friday 31 January
- France vs Wales – 8.15pm
- Saturday 1 February
- Scotland vs Italy – 2.15pm
- Ireland vs England – 4.45pm
ROUND 2
- Saturday 8 February
- Italy vs Wales – 2.15pm
- England vs France – 4.45pm
- Sunday 9 February
- Scotland vs Ireland – 3pm
ROUND 3
- Saturday 22 February
- Wales vs Ireland – 2.15pm
- England vs Scotland – 4.45pm
- Sunday 23 February
- Italy vs France – 3pm
ROUND 4
- Saturday 8 March
- Ireland vs France – 2.15pm
- Scotland vs Wales – 4.45pm
- Sunday 9 March
- England vs Italy – 3pm
ROUND 5
- Saturday 15 March
- Italy vs Ireland – 2.15pm
- Wales vs England – 4.45pm
- France vs Scotland – 8pm
NAME EVERY PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CLUB:
London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
It's more difficult than it sounds.
Good luck, and let us know how you do
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