US media company Discovery Communications has extended its deal for exclusive Italian rights to the Six Nations national team rugby union tournament.
Discovery Italia’s new multi-year contract with 6 Nations Rugby will commence with the 2018 Six Nations, which commences on the weekend of February 3-4, with Italy taking on England in its opening encounter.
Discovery’s previous four-year deal ran from 2014 to 2017 and its new contract, which comprises television and online rights, also includes the women’s Six Nations.
Alfredo Gavazzi, president of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), said: “In the last four years the collaboration between FIR and Discovery Italia has developed to become one of the strategic assets of FIR communication.
“DMAX has become the reference channel for all supporters of our national team, while Eurosport with the Guinness Pro14 and the Champions Cup weekly offers a wide and high quality rugby offer.
“We are excited that the NatWest 6 Nations and the women’s 6 Nations can continue to be broadcast in our country through collaboration with Discovery to offer a quality television product together, in line with our goals for growth on and off the field.”