Sky Sports has signed a four year deal to broadcast an additional 30 live matches a season from the RaboDirect Pro12. The deal will be additional to rather than replacing the current arrangements with RTE Sport, TG4 and other local broadcasters and comes into effect from the 2014/15 season.
The deal is a significant boost for a tournament that has gone from strength to strength. Spectator figures for the current season are expected to be up 10 per cent at around 1.2 million and TV viewing figures across the different regions are also estimated to be up by an aggregate 25 per cent.
The quality of the rugby is evidenced by teams playing in the tournament filling 24 of the 37 places on the British and Irish Lions party announced earlier this week.
Sky Sports will show 30 matches exclusively, all on Saturdays at a time slot which will be consistent but has yet to be confirmed. It fills the gap left in their scheduling by the loss of the Aviva Premiership to BT Sport but no indication has been given on whether the stations will go head to head in their coverage.
Sky Sports will also show the semi finals and final live but this will be alongside the national terrestrial broadcasters in the same manner that rights are shared across the UEFA Champions’ League.
No financial figures for the deal have been released but sources close to the sport suggest there will be a lift of as much as 50 per cent for the clubs.
“We know European rugby is hugely popular with our viewers and this deal provides for even more fantastic action, said Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports. “From next year, the RaboDirect Pro12 will complement our Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup coverage and provide viewers with an unrivalled diet of rugby union.”
“Sky Sports remains the home of televised rugby union, offering an unprecedented schedule from the international, European and domestic game. Our coverage is innovative and our expert analysis respected. This agreement is even more good news for rugby fans with Sky Sports.”
John Feehan, chief executive of RaboDirect Pro12, added: “We are delighted to welcome Sky Sports to the RaboDirect Pro12 family. Our competition is growing from strength to strength and we feel this partnership with Sky Sports will allow us to extend the reach of the RaboDirect Pro12 in the UK and Ireland.”
Read more of our analysis of broadcasting moves within European Rugby
Read about the importance of Ireland to Sky
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