European Rugby Officials Defend Premier Sports Deal for Champions and Challenge Cups
Published: August 14, 2024 | Updated: August 14, 2024
European rugby bosses have backed the decision to secure a new three-year broadcast contract with Premier Sports to screen the prestigious Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments. The move means Premier Sports will succeed TNT Sports as the main television partner for these events in Britain and Ireland from the 2024-25 season onwards.
European Rugby CEO Jacques Raynaud emphasized that the Premier Sports deal represents a “significant uplift” in financial terms, which will ultimately benefit the participating clubs. While he declined to disclose the specific value of the contract, Raynaud highlighted that the financial aspect was a crucial factor in the negotiations.
“The financial element of the deal and delivering money back to the clubs was at the heart of our tough negotiations,” said Raynaud. “It provides a significant uplift and it was certainly a very important point.”
The decision to partner with Premier Sports means the European rugby’s top club competitions will no longer be available on free-to-air television in England. This shift has been met with concerns, given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as fans will now need two subscription services to watch their team in action.
However, Raynaud acknowledged the challenges and stated that the priority was securing improved finances for the clubs.
“I accept that for an English rugby fan, there will be a change in habits. I think we have chosen a provider with a fantastic offering and a very affordable subscription.”
Premier Sports, which already holds the rights to the United Rugby Championship and France’s TOP14, plans to build a dedicated rugby channel to showcase the Champions and Challenge Cups. The broadcaster will cover all 63 Champions Cup matches, as well as two Challenge Cup pool matches per round and all matches in the knockout stages of both competitions.
“We want to make a one-stop shop with this rugby channel and we would look at international rights in the future,” said Premier Sports CEO Richard Sweeney.
The European rugby bosses have acknowledged the trade-off between the financial benefits of the Premier Sports deal and the loss of free-to-air coverage in England. However, they believe the improvements in club finances will ultimately outweigh the inconvenience for fans.
🔗 Source
