Under current UK listed events legislation, the Six Nations is a category B event, guaranteeing free-to-air highlights for matches involving the home nations. This legislation, according to Feehan, causes a lack of competition as it is not possible for a pay-television broadcaster to have exclusive rights to the event which impacts the rights fee.
“We would much prefer to be de-listed because [the event] is fundamental to the financial position of all of the British unions and the Irish union. Just because you are a national broadcaster, it doesn’t mean you should have a divine right to things. The listing stifles the market and stifles the sport,” he told UK newspaper the Telegraph.