Six Nations £300m paywall deal: 'We would not rule anything out'
Six Nations chiefs are distancing themselves from “speculative” claims the tournament will operate behind a paywall under a new television rights deal worth an estimated £300m but are not ruling the controversial move out of the question.
Bids for rights to the next Six Nations broadcast package are expected to be lodged before the final weekend of the regular tournament on March 14 and officials today insisted any details of potential bids and their ramifications for free-to-air access for fans was “highly premature.”
A Six Nations spokesperson said: “Six Nations are in the process of seeking bids for various sets of media rights but these are not due for some time.
"All of this is highly premature and speculative as no proposals have yet been received by any interested party.
"We would not rule anything out at this stage and the Unions will collectively review and make a decision based on the nature of the offers received."
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WATCH: The guys round up all the Guinness Six Nations and Premiership action. They discuss the shenanigans at the breakdown in England v Ireland among others. We also hear from Brad Shields on his injury and his quest to get back into Eddie's England squad.
Sky, seen as the favourites to land the new deal, told RugbyPass they never comment on “any commercial right opportunities.”
Under the current deal BBC and ITV teamed up to outbid Sky by offering £90m a year and that agreement runs out in 2021. RugbyPass revealed last July that the championship will no longer be shown exclusively on free-to-air under a deal that will see CVC Capital Partners take a 15 per cent stake in the tournament.
November test matches would also be included in the new deal with Sky reportedly ready to hand over £300m although counter bids from Amazon and BT are expected. BBC and ITV will not be allowed to table a joint bid again raising the prospect of the tournament going behind a paywall.
The threat of the Six Nations being lost to Sky or BT in the lead-up to the current terrestrial deal signed in 2016 resulted in petitions being started demanding that what is seen as one of the jewels of the sporting crown in Europe was not hidden behind a pay-wall. Similar anger has already been expressed on social media with claims a paywall would significantly affect the growth of the game.
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You're right about Papalii, but he doesn't have much experience in closing stages and gets caught out alot. Cane is better there.
Sotutu isn't a scratch on Ardie, and Sititi is already in.
So that only leaves you not liking Ardie. He's the current world player of the year. Let that sink in. And then let it sink in that you need a blend with experience that players like him possess, you cannot pick flat out teams based on the best 'potential' skills, you need the experience. Papalii yes, which is coming anyway considering cane is off soon, but Ardie, you can't drop him. Sotutu doesn't trump him or Sititi I think.
I think maybe you're right for the next world Cup though...but we have to blend into that team over many more games
Go to commentsSCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
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