Six Nations right deal: BBC and ITV agree four-year partnership to 2029
The BBC Sport and ITV have agreed to a new contract for the 2029 right to freely move in real time in the six countries.
The BBC will provide live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five live games involving Scotland and Wales each year.
ITV plays 10 live games each season, including matches in every England during the trades that begin in 2026.
The BBC Sport will also provide live coverage in women’s six countries and six countries under the age of 20 on TV and iPlayer, and continue to provide live audio reviews across broadcasting, BBC Sounds, and multiple platforms such as the BBC Sport website and app.
“This deal is great news for rugby and the BBC to make the sport available to as many people as possible,” said BBC Sports Director Alex Kay-Jelski.
“We are proud to bring the biggest sports moment to our audience, and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive broadcast coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer.
“It’s an exciting time for rugby and we are proud to share every exciting moment with our UK audience.”
ITV Sports Niall Sloane director said it was a “huge deal for football fans”.
He added: “We are honored to be home to all England matches during the trading period, including the highly respected clashes of England with Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”
“The game has always been one of the sports highlights of the year, so we look forward to continuing to move forward with six countries, every league and federal.”
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Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, added: “The importance of these new and innovative free partnerships cannot be exaggerated.
“By strengthening rugby’s relationship with ITV and the BBC, the sport can continue to bring as many fans as possible to live coverage in the Six Nations.”
