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Six Nations Officials Will Consider Offers From Pay-TV Networks In Next Broadcast Deal

Six Nations officials "will consider offers from pay television operators for their next broadcasting deal, which could end live free-to-air match coverage after the 2017 championship," according to Alex Lowe of the LONDON TIMES. Six Nations CEO John Feehan said the BBC remains the preferred partner but that “every broadcaster in the U.K.” has shown an interest in purchasing the live rights, "which is a vital revenue stream for the unions involved." The BBC, which has been the sole TV broadcaster since '02, "signed its last Six Nations deal in 2012" for a reported £160M but the subsequent emergence in the market of BT Sport as a rival to Sky Sports has seen the value of rugby union rights escalate. BT Sport paid £152M "to show Aviva Premiership and European club rugby." ITV is "also thought to be interested in adding the RBS Six Nations Championship to its Rugby World Cup rights and Premiership highlights package" (LONDON TIMES, 1/29). In London, Gavin Mairs wrote Six Nations is "regarded as one of the crown jewels of the sporting calendar." Feehan "was prepared to consider all options for the next deal, given how critical the revenue generated by the championship is to the Home Unions." Asked if it was regarded as key for the tournament to remain on free-to-air TV, Feehan said that it was important "to look at what you are trying to achieve out of the championship." He said, "The championship has never been healthier, it is in great shape and our terrestrial broadcasters have been fantastic partners. But that being said, they, like anybody else, have to be kept honest. Under the Listed Events code, the Six Nations Championship, like cricket Tests played in England and the Open Championship, "is considered as a Category B event." That means it "can be shown on pay-TV provided there is sufficient secondary coverage (such as delayed broadcast and highlights)" (TELEGRAPH, 1/28). The PA reported Sky Sports and BT Sport "are among those interested in the rights to the northern hemisphere's most prized rugby tournament." Feehan: "There is interest from every broadcaster in the U.K. for live rights" (PA, 1/29). RTE reported Feehan stressed that "any move to pay-TV was still very much at the speculative stage." Feehan: "There are still three years left on this existing contract but there is an ebb and flow. We talk to all the broadcasters all the time so it is not a case of just pitching up one day and saying, ‘Hey boys, we are ready for sale.’ It doesn't work like that" (RTE, 1/29).

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