Category: Sport
Date: 06.10.2004
Printable version
BBC has agreed
a new five-year deal with the Celtic Unions (Irish Rugby Football Union,
Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union), giving BBC exclusive rights
to show their Autumn Internationals on network television from 2005-2009
inclusive.
The deal includes:
All home rugby Internationals for Wales, Scotland and Ireland;
All matches against Regional sides during the Autumn International period
(or Six Nations 'A' team Internationals);
Live Celtic Cup rights for BBC Scotland and highlights rights for BBC
Northern Ireland (BBC Wales already have a separate contract for the
Celtic League games), with the Cup Final to be shown on network television
in Grandstand*.
Coupled with the Six Nations, BBC now has all international
rugby hosted in the UK until the end of the decade, with the exception
of the England Autumn tests to which BBC currently has highlights rights.
BBC Sport's Head of Programmes and Planning, Pat Younge
said: "This is great news for fans, for rugby and for the BBC,
and reflects the strength of our relationship with the Celtic Unions.
"The new touring schedule will see more internationals
against the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks, the UK debut for the
Pacific Islanders, and the mouth-watering possibility of seeing provinces
like Munster once again taking on the All Blacks."
Pat Loughrey, Director of BBC's Nations and Regions,
said: "Our union with the game in the Celtic nations has developed
over many years and I am pleased that we have been able to extend that
partnership for another five years.
"Sport is an important national identifier for
our audiences and we look forward to building our relationship with
rugby fans and with the Unions in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
"With our colleagues in BBC Sport, this agreement
enables us to provide full and free coverage of the national sides for
rugby followers of all ages.
"We look forward to providing extensive commentary
and analysis across our analogue, digital and new media services. It
may be the same ball but it's a whole new ball-game."
Scottish Rugby's Chief Executive Phil Anderton said:
"I'm delighted at today's announcement which extends the BBC's
outstanding coverage over the Autumn period and their commitment to
the Celtic Cup.
"Viewing figures for rugby in Scotland on the BBC
have seen a significant rise in recent years and we are confident that
this trend will continue with the new deal.
"This deal provides Scottish
Rugby with stable income streams. Alongside the recently announced RBS
Six Nations deal, our relationship with the BBC will generate further
income and make a significant positive impact on our finances."
IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: "The new
five-year Autumn International deal represents a strong statement by
the BBC on behalf of rugby in the Celtic Unions.
"Coming in the wake of the new Celtic League contract,
the BBC initiative provides further necessary revenues for our Unions,
while also providing a wider landscape for the viewing of the matches."
WRU Group Chief Executive David Moffet said: "I
am delighted that we can announce the extension of the BBC's contract.
"The BBC is an important partner of the WRU and
we see this as a hugely positive step for both the WRU and the BBC.
It is a boost for fans of rugby for years to come where Celtic rugby
is concerned."
Notes to Editors
* Celtic Cup Final to be shown on Network in Grandstand
subject to scheduling.
Over the past 12 months BBC has secured the rights to:
the Six Nations, Wimbledon, Moto GP and UK Athletics, all to the end
of the decade;
exclusive England, home, football internationals and the cream
of the FA Cup until 2008;
Rugby League Challenge Cup (and Tri Nations highlights) until 2008;
US Masters until 2007;
Premiership rights for Match of the Day, which returned this August, until
2007;
Winter and Summer Olympic Games for 2010 and 2012.
Autumn Internationals Schedule
for 2004
Saturday 6 November
2.15 for 2.45pm KO Wales v South Africa (Live) BBC
ONE Grandstand
5.15 for 5.30pm KO Scotland v Australia (Live) BBC TWO
Saturday 13 November
2.15 for 2.45pm KO Ireland v South Africa (Live) BBC ONE Grandstand
Sunday 14 November
4.15pm England v Canada (Highlights) BBC TWO Sunday Grandstand
5.00pm Scotland v Japan (Highlights) BBC TWO Sunday Grandstand
Saturday 20 November
2.30 for 2.45pm KO Scotland v Australia (Live) BBC ONE Grandstand
5.15 for 5.30pm KO Wales v New Zealand (Live) BBC TWO
Sunday 21 November
3.30pm England v South Africa (Highlights) BBC TWO
Saturday 27 November
2.20 for 2.45pm KO Scotland v South Africa (Live) BBC ONE Grandstand
Sunday 28 November
1.20pm England v Australia (Highlights) BBC TWO
Followed by Ireland v Argentina (Highlights) BBC TWO
Saturday 4 December
2.30 for 3.00pm KO Barbarians v New Zealand (Live)
BBC ONE Grandstand (Programme includes coverage of Parliamentary Rugby
Awards)
