Minister encourages ‘balanced’ approach over Six Nations broadcast deal
The Government’s remarks came in response to calls from MPs to protect free-to-air coverage.
Six Nations Rugby must take a “balanced and considered” approach over its next broadcast deal, the Government has said amid calls to keep the tournament on terrestrial television.
Culture minister Stephanie Peacock said the organisation “understands the strength of feeling” among rugby union fans who want free-to-air coverage to remain for the annual competition involving England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Ms Peacock added the Government has “no plans” to change the listed sporting events regime after MPs suggested that moving the Six Nations to group A could better protect terrestrial TV access.
The BBC and ITV have shared the Six Nations TV rights since 2016 but their contract ends after the current tournament and coverage could move behind a paywall.
TNT Sports has confirmed it is considering bidding for 2026 onwards.
Responding to a parliamentary debate, Ms Peacock said: “It is understandable that the potential of the Six Nations moving away from free-to-air television does attract a great deal of scrutiny and concern from fans.
“The Government and I are very, very aware of that and it’s right that RFU and Six Nations Rugby take a considered and balanced approach, recognising the need to achieve reach with existing and new fans, the importance that the Six Nations has for cultural pride of each of the home nations all while maximising the much-needed broadcast revenue.”
Six Nations matches involving home countries are currently listed in group B, which means live coverage can be on subscription television provided that secondary coverage – such as highlights – are offered to free-to-air broadcasters.
Rights to full live coverage must be offered to the main free-to-air terrestrial broadcasters on “fair and reasonable terms” for group A events, although it does not guarantee they will be purchased.
England captain Maro Itoje is among the figures in the game who have called on organisers to prioritise the game’s reach when considering the next broadcast deal.
Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst, who previously worked for the Rugby Football Union (RFU), said a new deal must maintain free-to-air coverage as he opened a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday.
The MP for Bridlington and The Wolds said: “The tournament itself attracts around 120 million viewers in total, a clear demonstration of its popularity.
“My own view is the Six Nations matches involving the home countries should be moved from group B to group A to ensure that this much-loved tournament continues to have the broadest possible reach.
“This is vital for the health of the game from elite level down to the grassroots. Watching our international teams through free-to-air coverage of the Six Nations is often the only exposure fans will have to professional rugby.”
Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies (Caerfyrddin) said: “Win or lose, as has been our case at the moment, rugby brings us all together in Wales and should be included in group A.”
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower), who won nine caps representing Wales at rugby union, said: “The Six Nations really do need to ensure that there is a balance between reach and revenue when entering into these conversations with broadcasters.”
Replying for the Government, Ms Peacock said she would not comment on ongoing commercial negotiations.
She said: “I did recently meet Six Nations Rugby to discuss this issue further and it was clear to me that Six Nations Rugby understands the strength of feeling among rugby fans relating to this issue and appreciates the significant cultural and financial contribution that the Six Nations makes to each nation’s rugby union governing body, including the RFU.
“Indeed, the Government recognises the importance of broadcasting sporting events, like the Six Nations, to attract significant audience interest.”
On changing the listed events regime, Ms Peacock noted that rights holders are “not required to sell live rights for listed events and free-to-air broadcasters are not obliged to purchase them”.
She said: “Conversely the example of the Six Nations demonstrates that putting an event in group B does not prevent a rights holder from selling full live coverage rights to a free-to-air broadcaster or broadcasters.
“The Government believes that the current list of events does work well and it strikes an appropriate balance between access to sporting events and allowing sports to maximise broadcasting revenue and therefore the Government has no plans to review the list at this time.
“But when discussing the Six Nations it’s important to consider that broadcasting income is a significant revenue stream for rugby union, important for the financial sustainability of all the home nations unions.
“The current broadcasting rights are said to be worth £90 million-a-year, a significant revenue stream for the six rugby governing bodies.”
