BBC suffer blow as England Six Nations rights dished out
The BBC will no longer show England’s Six Nations games as they have struck a new deal with ITV. ITV and BBC will share broadcast rights on a new four-year deal until 2029 for the competition. BBC will miss out on showing England’s Six Nations matchesGetty Images - Getty Whilst the BBC will miss out on showing England’s games, they will show live coverage, highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five Scotland and Wales matches each year. ITV will show 10 live games which include all the England fixtures from the start of the new deal – which begins in 2026. BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: “This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible. “We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive broadcast coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer. “This is an exciting time for rugby, and we are proud to share every thrilling moment with audiences across the UK.” Adding to that sentiment, the ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane said: “We are proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal including England’s much revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland and Wales,” he added. “The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year, so we look forward to continuing to work with Six Nations Rugby and each union and federation moving forward.” The deal comes after months of speculation surrounding rugby’s broadcast future. TNT Sports were considering taking over the sport on a subscription service but did admit that it would have been ‘very challenging’. England captain Maro Itoje urged organisers to keep it on free-to-air television, encouraging wider audiences to watch and engage with the sport. ITV will show all of England’s games from 2026Getty Images - Getty Tom Harrison, the Six Nations Rugby chief executive also added: “The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated. “By strengthening rugby’s relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations.” Saturday marks the final day of the Six Nations, with three nations; France, England and Ireland each in contention for the title. France are currently atop the table, on 16 points, England with 15 and Ireland on 14. Scotland are also capable of lifting the trophy, though they would have to rely on beating France with a bonus point to surpass them. In short; France will win if they beat Scotland at the Stade de France in Paris. They would need a bonus point but can still be victorious without one if England and Ireland both lose. England will win if France lose to Scotland. Ireland will win if they beat Italy – with a bonus point – and both France and England lose.
The BBC will no longer show England’s Six Nations games as they have struck a new deal with ITV.
ITV and BBC will share broadcast rights on a new four-year deal until 2029 for the competition.
Whilst the BBC will miss out on showing England’s games, they will show live coverage, highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five Scotland and Wales matches each year.
ITV will show 10 live games which include all the England fixtures from the start of the new deal – which begins in 2026.
BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: “This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible.
“We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive broadcast coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer.
“This is an exciting time for rugby, and we are proud to share every thrilling moment with audiences across the UK.”
Adding to that sentiment, the ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane said: “We are proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal including England’s much revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland and Wales,” he added.
“The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year, so we look forward to continuing to work with Six Nations Rugby and each union and federation moving forward.”
The deal comes after months of speculation surrounding rugby’s broadcast future.
TNT Sports were considering taking over the sport on a subscription service but did admit that it would have been ‘very challenging’.
England captain Maro Itoje urged organisers to keep it on free-to-air television, encouraging wider audiences to watch and engage with the sport.
Tom Harrison, the Six Nations Rugby chief executive also added: “The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated.
“By strengthening rugby’s relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations.”
Saturday marks the final day of the Six Nations, with three nations; France, England and Ireland each in contention for the title.
France are currently atop the table, on 16 points, England with 15 and Ireland on 14.
Scotland are also capable of lifting the trophy, though they would have to rely on beating France with a bonus point to surpass them.
In short; France will win if they beat Scotland at the Stade de France in Paris. They would need a bonus point but can still be victorious without one if England and Ireland both lose.
England will win if France lose to Scotland. Ireland will win if they beat Italy – with a bonus point – and both France and England lose.
