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BBC and ITV bid wins Six Nations TV rights until 2021 BBC and ITV bid wins Six Nations TV rights until 2021
(34 minutes later)
The BBC and ITV have won the rights to broadcast rugby's Six Nations competition.The BBC and ITV have won the rights to broadcast rugby's Six Nations competition.
The broadcasters joined forces to keep the event on free-to-air television, following interest from pay TV operators including Sky Sports.The broadcasters joined forces to keep the event on free-to-air television, following interest from pay TV operators including Sky Sports.
The BBC has also agreed to lose its exclusive rights to the tournament two years early.The BBC has also agreed to lose its exclusive rights to the tournament two years early.
The new six-year joint deal will run from the 2016 season.The new six-year joint deal will run from the 2016 season.
A new deal was originally not due to kick in until 2018.A new deal was originally not due to kick in until 2018.
The RBS 6 Nations confirmed the new deal which also covers BBC radio and online.The RBS 6 Nations confirmed the new deal which also covers BBC radio and online.
This year's tournament on the BBC saw audiences rise to their highest level since 2003 when a peak of 9.6 million tuned in to watch England v France.This year's tournament on the BBC saw audiences rise to their highest level since 2003 when a peak of 9.6 million tuned in to watch England v France.
More than 24 million viewers tuned in to the championship on the BBC in 2015.More than 24 million viewers tuned in to the championship on the BBC in 2015.
BBC director of sport Barbara Slater called it "great news".BBC director of sport Barbara Slater called it "great news".
"It's a very special competition and our viewing figures from this year prove just how popular it is with audiences," she said."It's a very special competition and our viewing figures from this year prove just how popular it is with audiences," she said.
"We very much look forward to starting our new partnership with ITV and continuing our strong relationship with RBS 6 Nations.""We very much look forward to starting our new partnership with ITV and continuing our strong relationship with RBS 6 Nations."
Niall Sloane, ITV director of sport, said: "As ITV prepares to bring viewers exclusive, free-to-air live coverage of the Rugby World Cup later this year, we're delighted to be strengthening our ties with the game by bringing audiences the first class, live action and unique atmosphere of the RBS 6 Nations from next year."Niall Sloane, ITV director of sport, said: "As ITV prepares to bring viewers exclusive, free-to-air live coverage of the Rugby World Cup later this year, we're delighted to be strengthening our ties with the game by bringing audiences the first class, live action and unique atmosphere of the RBS 6 Nations from next year."
The bid has been reported to be worth £50m a year to the game.The bid has been reported to be worth £50m a year to the game.
Last week, Welsh Culture and Sports Minister Ken Skates warned it could be "very dangerous and damaging" if the tournament was lost to satellite channels.Last week, Welsh Culture and Sports Minister Ken Skates warned it could be "very dangerous and damaging" if the tournament was lost to satellite channels.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, director of BBC Wales, said: "The Six Nations Championship has a unique place in the hearts of Welsh rugby fans and we're thrilled that the BBC will continue to offer unbeatable coverage of Wales matches for another six years."
He said the BBC had worked closely with ITV over a number of months.
He added: "We've put our audiences first and secured the right deal for Wales, for Welsh rugby and for viewers. A win-win-win."
The Six Nations attracts 24 million viewers across the UK - or 41% of the population.The Six Nations attracts 24 million viewers across the UK - or 41% of the population.
In Wales, the audiences are proportionately higher, with 1.9 million watching or 68% of the population.In Wales, the audiences are proportionately higher, with 1.9 million watching or 68% of the population.
The peak audience figure in Wales alone for the Six Nations opener with England earlier this year was 1.12 million.The peak audience figure in Wales alone for the Six Nations opener with England earlier this year was 1.12 million.
Over the six year period of the agreement, the BBC will show 70% of Wales games live.Over the six year period of the agreement, the BBC will show 70% of Wales games live.
John Feehan, chief executive of the Six Nations said: "The RBS 6 Nations is unique, providing a rich and respected rivalry, with many or the world's best players at the very pinnacle of their careers, playing for their countries with pride and in the right spirit.
"This agreement with two major broadcasters will ensure that all these aspects are reflected in the coverage for the fans to enjoy."
Analysis by Huw Thomas, BBC Wales arts and media correspondentAnalysis by Huw Thomas, BBC Wales arts and media correspondent
Many had prepared themselves for the loss of the Six Nations to Sky when the tournament's organisers revealed in January that they were open to moving the event to a subscription channel.Many had prepared themselves for the loss of the Six Nations to Sky when the tournament's organisers revealed in January that they were open to moving the event to a subscription channel.
And while Sky, along with BT Sport, have snapped up many rugby rights in recent years, the special significance of the Six Nations to Welsh audiences led to a sustained public campaign to keep the event on a free-to-air channel.And while Sky, along with BT Sport, have snapped up many rugby rights in recent years, the special significance of the Six Nations to Welsh audiences led to a sustained public campaign to keep the event on a free-to-air channel.
This deal appears to satisfy the politicians and petitioners, while reducing the BBC's financial commitment to the tournament.This deal appears to satisfy the politicians and petitioners, while reducing the BBC's financial commitment to the tournament.
I'm told that the cultural significance of the game to Welsh audiences helped to secure Wales's home games for the BBC, while ITV satisfies its audiences and advertisers by capturing the more lucrative England internationals at Twickenham.I'm told that the cultural significance of the game to Welsh audiences helped to secure Wales's home games for the BBC, while ITV satisfies its audiences and advertisers by capturing the more lucrative England internationals at Twickenham.
There is still some detail to be worked out: the BBC has traditionally provided Welsh language coverage for S4C, while an announcement will be made at a later date about live commentaries on BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru.There is still some detail to be worked out: the BBC has traditionally provided Welsh language coverage for S4C, while an announcement will be made at a later date about live commentaries on BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru.
The deal was welcomed in Wales.
WRU chairman and Six Nations council member Gareth Davies, said the contract would deliver "the very best for Welsh rugby".
"We already enjoy a great relationship with both the BBC and ITV which offers us great confidence that the tournament will continue to command the level of coverage it deserves," he said.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats had organised a 5,000 signature petition against a pay TV deal and leader Kirsty Williams said: "I'm delighted that we've helped persuade the Six Nations bosses that our rugby needs to stay on free TV.
"That family tradition of sitting down and watching the rugby together that many of us hold dear looks to be no longer under threat."