Sports Rights: Welsh Rugby continues on BBC Wales and S4C~

DMC

One of Setanta's big draws, and yet, another reason for not getting it....

From the BBC Press Office..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/08_august/30/rugby.shtml

New four-year broadcast deal for Welsh rugby

BBC Wales, S4C and the Welsh Rugby Union have signed a new deal for the broadcast coverage of domestic rugby in Wales for the next four years.



The agreement ensures comprehensive coverage on television, radio and online in Welsh and English across digital and analogue platforms through to the end of the 2009/10 season.



The deal means that twice-a-week live television coverage of the Magners League as well as coverage of the Principality Building Society Premiership and Konica Minolta Cup will continue.



With broadcasting contracts already in place for the Anglo-Welsh EDF Energy Cup, the RBS Six Nations Championship and Wales's Invesco Perpetual Autumn Internationals, the biggest package of live rugby union matches anywhere in the UK will be available on S4C and BBC Wales this season.



The Welsh appetite for live rugby union on television remains as keen as ever.



Audiences for Scrum V Live on BBC TWO Wales last season peaked as high as 438,000 and Y Clwb Rygbi provided two of the top ten most-watched programmes on S4C last year.



BBC Wales Head of Sport, Nigel Walker, says: "Rugby plays a very successful role in bringing mass audiences to BBC Wales across all our services. It draws together men and women, young and old from all over Wales week after week.



"In response, our coverage of the sport has become the most comprehensive to be found anywhere in the UK.



"In addition to live commentary on television and radio we have been able to develop interactive services through the red button on digital television while bbc.co.uk/scrumv has become one of the most popular websites in the whole of Wales.



"This season we will extend our rugby coverage still further with a new Thursday evening radio version of Scrum V on BBC Radio Wales and we are developing plans to make highlights available via mobile phone."



Gareth Davies, S4C's Commissioning Editor, Sport, says: "This new deal reinforces S4C's commitment to Welsh rugby and means that fans can enjoy a comprehensive package of top quality rugby throughout the season on S4C.



"Games and highlights packages are already available to viewers outside Wales via S4C Digidol on Sky, and new platforms, such as broadband and red button services, will enable us to extend our coverage even further."



WRU Chief Executive Steve Lewis says: "I don't think any rugby playing country in the world has better broadcast backers than we have here in Wales and as well as thanking the BBC and S4C for their money, it is equally important to thank them for their wholehearted backing of our business.



"They share our values, from community game upwards, and they help to keep rugby union at the top of the Welsh agenda.



"I hope all our teams provide their audiences with the kind of rugby action that will keep their figures climbing and I thank them for four more years of vital support to the national game of Wales."



BBC Wales Press Office