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TV3 has secured the rights to broadcast the RBS 6 Nations from 2018. It is believed that new owners Liberty Global, who also own Virgin Media were supportive of a bid to win the rights which cover all 120 games to be played between 2018 and 2021.
Sport for Business understands that the cost of the deal is in the region of €20 million. The Irish arm of Sky was also reported to have been interested but that faded when the company’s main bid for the tournament rights in Britain were trumped by a combined bid from ITV and BBC who will share the matches played by England, Scotland and Wales.
RTÉ Sport has been the broadcast partner of choice in Ireland until now but the new contract negotiations have been reshaped by those broadcasters who were to the fore in the Rugby World Cup rather than by traditional relationships.
TV3 achieved record viewing figures throughout the tournament as well as universal praise for the coverage it delivered.
Speaking in an interview on Today FM last night alongside Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business TV3 Head of Broadcast Niall Cogley spoke of what it was that he believed made the difference.
“The business of sport is about the funding of the game and securing the biggest fee to feed back into the sport is important but there are other considerations including a confidence in how the games will be marketed and broadcast.”
Listen back to the interview here from 48:30, including where Rob Hartnett talks about why all broadcasters are determined to secure major sports rights.
Read more about the TV3 Rugby success story covered through our RWC Insider series.
Read more about the TV3 Rugby success story covered through our RWC Insider series.ITV in England will share coverage with the BBC in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as in Northern Ireland.
The news from Ireland means that 2016 and 2017 will see many farewells as the IRFU will also be switching their main commercial partnership from Three to Vodafone after next year’s Championship.
It could also signal a broader shift in how we view sport here. This month Liberty Global and Discovery Communications became partners in an investment in Lionsgate in the US. Discovery and Eurosport earlier this year won the rights to broadcast the Olympic Games from 2020 and will likely license the coverage here to a domestic free to air broadcaster.
Six Nations Reaction
“We are delighted to be working with TV3 on developing the interest in the Championship and to ultimately grow this wonderful competition in Ireland,” said RBS 6 Nations CEO John Feehan.
“TV3’s coverage of Rugby World Cup was very successful and we believe that they will inject new and exciting ideas in the broadcasting of the Six Nations Championship.
“I wish to acknowledge the excellent work and support of RTE in the coverage of the RBS 6 Nations Championship over the years, and indeed we look forward to working with them for the remaining two years of the existing contract.”
RTÉ Reaction
RTE Head of Sport Ryle Nugent will have particularly felt the loss as the channel’s main commentator in addition to his ‘day job’.
“This is extremely disappointing news for RTÉ. We have a long and proud tradition of showcasing the 6 Nations and putting our heart and soul into our coverage.”
“We want to assure the Irish public that every possible effort was made by RTÉ to retain these rights. As a public service broadcaster, RTÉ’s ambition has always been, and continues to be, to deliver the best possible viewer experience and to share moments of major national importance.”
“We put forward the best possible bid within our means, while always mindful of the significant responsibilities attached to spending public funds.”
“We have a phenomenal year ahead in 2016, with the GAA Championships, the Olympic Games and Euro 2016. We also look forward to delivering the 6 Nations Championship in 2016 and 2017.”
“Along with the range of Sports we have already secured and are delivering, we will look to other opportunities in Irish and international sports and remain committed to delivering a comprehensive portfolio of Sport to the Irish public.”
Watch John Feehan, Rob Hartnett and David McRedmond from TV3 react to the news on TV3’s 5:30 News bulletin.Image credit: Inpho.ie
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