Rugby Union
WRU sets ‘red line’ over live Welsh-language free-to-air Six Nations coverage
The Welsh Rugby Union has said that ensuring Wales’ Six Nations matches remain live on free-to-air television in the Welsh language is a “red line” in ongoing discussions over the UK broadcast rights from …
France Télévisions attracts 7m peak audience for Six Nations drama
French public-service broadcaster France Télévisions benefitted from late drama during the France versus Wales Six Nations match on Saturday evening, attracting a peak audience of just over 7 million v…
Canal Plus commits to 17-per-cent increase to retain Top 14 rights
Pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus has held on to one of its flagship properties in France by retaining rights to French rugby union’s Top 14, paying an increase of about 17 per cent on its previous deal.
Australian broadcasters to bid next week for Rugby World Cup rights
World Rugby, the international governing body for rugby union, is in the midst of a media rights invitation to tender in Australia, one of its most lucrative markets, and will invite broadcasters to submit…
MLR unveils The Rugby Network streaming service
Major League Rugby has partnered with global rugby union content platform RugbyPass to create the free streaming and digital content service The Rugby Network ahead of the 2021 season.
French audience peaks at 8.2m for Six Nations game against England
England’s 23-20 victory over France in rugby union’s Six Nations on Saturday was watched by a peak audience of 8.2 million viewers on French public-service broadcaster France 2.
World Rugby to stream Super Rugby AU internationally as ‘interim solution’
World Rugby has reached an agreement with Rugby Australia to stream live coverage of the Super Rugby Australia competition in selected markets, including the UK and Ireland
NZR, RugbyPass deal illustrates tricky Sanzaar international sales process
An experimental deal between New Zealand Rugby and digital platform RugbyPass has underscored the difficulty the Sanzaar alliance and its member rugby unions have had selling international rights for the 2021-25 cycle.
Canal Plus commits to 17-per-cent increase to retain Top 14 rights
Pay-television broadcaster Canal Plus has held on to one of its flagship properties in France by retaining rights to French rugby union’s Top 14 from 2023-24 to 2026-27 in a deal worth an average of €…
Canal Plus and L’Équipe ‘among at least three bidders’ for Top 14 rights
The invitation to tender for domestic broadcast rights to French rugby union’s Top 14 is reported to have attracted bids from broadcasters including incumbent rights-holder Canal Plus and free-to-air d…
Channel 4 ‘lines up’ highlights deal for Lions series
UK free-to-air broadcaster Channel 4 is close to further enhancing its sports rights portfolio by agreeing a deal for highlights of the British & Irish Lions rugby union series against South Africa, it…
RugbyPass to stream Super Rugby Aotearoa in overseas markets
Rugby union digital media platform RugbyPass will stream live coverage of New Zealand's Super Rugby Aotearoa competition this year in 100 territories around the world, under a new deal with New Zealand…
Stan Sport ‘lines up’ smart TVs as solution to pub blackout
Australian broadcaster Nine Entertainment is said to be considering offering its streaming service Stan Sport directly to pubs and clubs via smart television apps, in an effort to ensure its Super Rugby…
Stan secures Japanese Top League rights
Australian media group Nine Entertainment has announced an exclusive rights deal for the Japan Top League rugby union competition
French rugby’s LNR back in the market for broadcast head
France’s Ligue Nationale de Rugby has begun a search for a head of broadcast rights and content.
Premiership Rugby lines up D2C offer to boost income after BT renewal
Premiership Rugby Limited and UK telco BT’s agreement in December on a three-season renewal marked the end of a saga that saw its fair share of twists and turns. But while the rights-holder will see a drop in annual rights revenue compared with the final season of the current deal, it is thought to view a direct-to-consumer strategy as a viable means of addressing the shortfall.
RFU eyes broadcast deal for women’s top-tier league
The Rugby Football Union is actively seeking a domestic broadcaster for the top-tier women’s Premier 15s league.
ITV peak hits 8.7m for Scotland win, France 2 peaks at 5m for opener
Scotland’s win over defending champions England during the opening weekend of rugby union’s 2021 Six Nations was watched by a peak audience of 8.7 m