THE BBC HAS voiced its disappointment after losing the rights to broadcast live Pro14 matches.
It’s looking like they’ll go to subscription channel Premier Sports, which means that regular terrestrial television coverage will end next season.
The Pro14 is yet to confirm the new deal, but BBC Scotland stated:
“BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, BBC Alba and S4C put together a competitive joint bid. We are therefore disappointed our bid has been rejected.”
BBC Two Northern Ireland had broadcast some of Ulster’s games prior to now, while Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors’ fixtures had been screened on both BBC Alba and BBC Two Scotland.
Welsh sides often had their matches screened on BBC Two Wales, and that will end now. But negotiations over Welsh language rights will continue with the possibility of some showings on S4C.
The BBC have stated that it hopes to be able to continue to offer highlights, with BBC Wales saying:
“We’re proud of our record of covering live Pro14 rugby across television, radio and online and we offered a significantly increased financial bid in order to safeguard these rights on a free-to-air basis for hundreds of thousands of viewers in Wales — and across the UK.
“We know there will be a real disappointment at this outcome among hundreds of thousands of rugby fans who have enjoyed live free-to-air coverage on the BBC over many years.”
Pay-TV company Premier Sports meanwhile, was set up by Irish businessman and joint CEO of Setanta Sports, Michael O’Rourke, in 2009. It’s operated by the Luxembourg-registered Premier Media, and is available on Sky and Virgin Media platforms, as well as via their website.
The Pro14 is set to have a new Irish television broadcaster next season though with eir sport close to finalising a deal with the tournament organisers, as reported by The42 last month.
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Dreadful news for the league. Who even has Premier Sports?
@Munsterman: It’s good for the teams because they will get more money. It may effect the PRO14′s ability to attract the casual fan in Britain.
The major issue in countries like Wales is that not even the diehard fans are going to games as it is, despite the success and attractive brand of rugby of teams like the Scarlets.
@EK: they may get more money from TV, but less supporters can watch them, lower public profile, meaning less sponsorship through the door long term.
@Joseph Blocks: I’m sure the Pro14 will have done the numbers on that and worked out which is worth more.
The Ulster lads will just have to watch their matches on TG4 now. Arlene will be delighted
@Fear Uisce: a few Irish lessons thrown in at half time would be funny.
@Chris Mc: Yeah we could also have lessons as gaeilge on bigoted supporters from other provinces.
@Trevor Johnston: well said (hopefully tongue in cheek) but will TG4 be the only station to see matches live on “free” to air on the island of ireland? Seems a bit mad
@mark m: TG4-táimid buile.
@Fear Uisce: TG4 will not have the Pro 14 next season either. They lost out to work.
I understand that the Pro 14 need to make money and TV rights is a quick way to do that but putting all the games behind a pay wall is only going to hurt the league in the long run, especially when its on an obscure channel like Premier Sports.
@Patrick O’Connor: Exactly, I’ve only ever came across it in Irish pubs in London that are known for GAA and it’s only the GAA national leagues that premier shows… Once summer comes the channel is forgotten about.
It’ll never be the People’s Sport if it’s hidden behind a sodding Pay Wall..
As far as I understand it, TG4 pays Sky for their rights to show Irish provincial games. Whether that’s the case with the BBC I’m not sure, but perhaps that is an avenue they could go down.
@EK: TG4 didn’t pay Sky. Sky will also have no rights anyway.
Its great news, its reported that the BBC put in a significantly increased offer and didnt win, which means that however has won has paid more the a significant increase for the TV rights. If the PRO 14 wants to compete at the top in Europe and keep Irish players in Ireland we know the PRO 14 has to bring in more money. This is a step in that direction add the 6 million a year from SA and we are closing the financial gap.
@Kingshu: terribly short sighted… Just look at the demise of test cricket as one example of how a sport can retreat so sadly once put behind a paywall
Luxembourg, a great sporting nation.
Could the Pro14 be more obscure? No.
This is not good. The Pro 14 is inaccessible to a lot of rugby supporters as it is. These behind pay wall deals are not going to help the league in the long term.
At least that idiot of a commentator on BBC who commentates on all Ulster matches will be gone!
Biased and hadn’t a clue.
Me thinks a lot of folks just thinking of themselves and the loss of free to air rugby and pretending they’re thinking of the good of the league
Who watches ulster anyway …
@rowan hill: I think you need to look at average attendances for Pro 14.. Rubbish team but great support.