Live Premiership Rugby matches will be shown on terrestrial TV "for the first time after Viacom signed a seven-figure deal," according to Callum Jones of the LONDON TIMES. The U.S. media group, which owns Channel 5, has won the rights for the domestic contest for four years from this autumn, "bringing an end to almost a decade of highlights on ITV." As well as a weekly primetime program on Sunday evenings, Channel 5 has been awarded five matches per season. BT Sport will remain the contest's pay-TV broadcaster. Those "in charge of Premiership Rugby" hope that, by airing some matches on terrestrial TV, "they can boost its audience and increase awareness." While ITV has used ITV 4, its "male-orientated" digital channel, to air the "bulk of its coverage," Channel 5 "pledged to broadcast all matches and highlights shows on its main terrestrial platform" (LONDON TIMES, 5/4). THE DRUM's Tony Connelly reported the deal builds on the broadcaster's "growing live sports portfolio" which now includes boxing, Formula E, English Football League highlights and cricket with a deal to air coverage of the Big Bash League (THE DRUM, 5/4).
