The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted to announce ‘the biggest and best’ domestic television and radio rights deal in its history.
The joint BBC Wales and S4C five-year agreement will cover all domestic Welsh club and some international rugby for television, radio and internet broadcasting in both English and in Welsh on analogue and digital platforms.
The agreement does not cover Six Nations Championship or European Rugby Cup tournament matches, though the BBC already hold the rights to Six Nations and Heineken Cup events.
It will kick-off on August 17 with the live broadcast of a Celtic League match, is the biggest televsion contract involving Welsh club rugby and will provide live coverage of Friday night (BBC Wales) and Saturday evening (S4C) matches along with highlights programmes.
‘We are absolutely delighted that BBC Wales and S4C will provide their expert coverage of matches in the Celtic League; Welsh/Scottish League; Principality Cup; the Welsh National League; age group and women’s rugby,’ said Glanmor Griffiths, the WRU Chairman.
‘The five-year term provides stability for our clubs, the Welsh Rugby Union and our broadcast partners and we all look forward to a most successful association. The five years is the longest we have ever committed ourselves to any television contract but we are delighted to do so on this occasion.
‘The agreement will provide far greater exposure and promotion than ever before for our national game. It will also give our professional clubs a better platform to showcase their product.’
The new deal sees BBC Wales return to the forefront of domestic rugby and is a continuation of S4C’s highly committed involvement with the national game over the last four years.
S4C’s Chief Executive, Huw Jones said: ‘This contract means that we can guarantee S4C viewers in Wales, and throughout the UK, top class club rugby for another five years.
‘The regular Saturday evening live match, which has been such a major attraction during the past four years, will continue. A separate agreement with BBC Wales ensures that Heineken Cup rugby will also be shown on S4C, giving us an unbroken season of high quality rugby.
‘S4C has invited tenders for the production contract for its rugby programmes in open competition and interviews will be held very shortly.’
Menna Richards, Controller of BBC Wales, said: ‘Our new partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union and S4C is great news for Welsh rugby fans and for the BBC.
‘We are delighted to be back at the heart of Welsh rugby and that Welsh rugby is back on BBC Wales. The new contract will make Welsh rugby available to the widest possible audience, and will promote the game in Wales at all levels. The BBC already has the rights to the Six Nations Championship as well as the Heineken Cup and this latest contract completes a truly comprehensive rugby portfolio for BBC Wales.’
For further information please contact:
Welsh Rugby Union media office:
Tel: +44 292 078 1720 or +44 292 078 1725
Fax: +44 292 022 7294