BBC Northern Ireland has signed a new four year deal to provide live free to air coverage of Ulster Rugby matches in the Guinness PRO12.
Sky Sports are the main broadcast partner for the first time this season and will have first pick of the matches to broadcast live in a regular Friday night slot but when that does not involve Ulster, their games will be carried live by the public service broadcaster for Northern Ireland.
Guinness PRO12 is managed by the RBS Six Nations and has similar deals now in place with TG4 in the Republic, BBC Wales and S4C in Wales and BBC Scotland and BBC Alba for matches involving Glasgow and Edinburgh. Discussions have yet to be concluded with another Italian broadcaster.
In the league section of the PRO12, BBC NI will have live coverage on BBC Two NI of all Ulster’s home and away matches not selected for broadcast by Sky.
Those matches that Sky do select will be live on BBC Radio Ulster.
BBC NI has also secured live TV coverage of any play-off match, including the final, involving Ulster.
“I am delighted that we have secured these rugby rights,” said Peter Johnson, Director of BBC Northern Ireland. “Live Friday night Ulster rugby has proven to be very popular with a wide viewing audience at home, with the games regularly being amongst the most watched programmes.”
Stephen Watson will present the BBC Sport NI television coverage of the PRO12 and Nikki Gregg will present coverage on BBC Radio Ulster. With Jim Neilly in the commentary box, expert analysis and co-commentary will come from a range of ex-players, including Ryan Constable, Bryn Cunningham, Andy Ward, Tony McWhirter and Maurice Field.
“I am delighted to be renewing our on-going and very successful relationship with BBC NI,” added Guinness PRO12 CEO John Feehan.
“They have significantly contributed to a huge increase in the popularity of rugby in Northern Ireland with first class coverage of the Ulster games over the last number of seasons.”
“We very much look forward to building on this successful relationship and showcasing the Guinness PRO12 week in, week out, on both radio and TV in Northern Ireland.”
“There is now more interest in rugby in Ulster than ever before,” said Shane Logan, CEO of Ulster Rugby.
“That is thanks in many ways to the excellent coverage that BBC Sport NI has given the sport in recent years. The large viewing figures reflect the excitement that PRO12 rugby generates but are also testament to the comprehensive and insightful coverage that the BBC Sport NI team provide.”
“I am extremely pleased that BBC Sport NI has extended its successful partnership with PRO12 rugby and I look forward to many more Ulster Rugby matches on both television and radio in the coming seasons.”
Sky Sports will cover Ulster’s opening fixture away to the Scarlets on Saturday 6th September before the BBC carry the next two fixtures on Friday 12th and 19th September at home to Zebre and away to Cardiff Blues.
Leinster complete a Sky Sports double header on the opening Saturday away to Cardiff while Munster will get the season underway on Friday 5th September with an opening home fixture against Edinburgh that will be carried live on TG4.
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