RFU And Sky Sports Extend Partnership And Pledge To Support Grassroots Rugby

THE Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Sky Sports have extended their partnership with a new five-year broadcast deal which will also see Sky Sports become a top level RFU partner, with a range of partnership rights for the first time.

The agreement strengthens one of the longest running broadcast partnerships in sport, taking it until the end of the 2019/20 season, and the relationship between the RFU and Sky Sports into its third decade.  The deal will help to further raise the profile and interest of rugby union and take the sport to new audiences. It will also continue to enhance the RFU’s ability to invest in all levels of the game.

The new deal, which begins in July 2015, provides a continued commitment to cover rugby union in England at all levels and comprises:

• Exclusive live coverage of England's autumn QBE Internationals from Twickenham, QBE Internationals before the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and 2019, plus the annual England spring fixture
• At least two live England Women's matches a season, as well as additional England Under 20, Under 18 and England Saxons fixtures
• A minimum of 11 live Greene King IPA Championship matches
• An in-match clips package, which will enable near live match updates to be delivered across RFU & Sky Sports' websites and social media channels

Sky Sports is now consolidated as a major RFU partner and will work closely with the governing body to develop opportunities to support and cover grassroots rugby throughout the country.

RFU Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Sophie Goldschmidt said, “We have a long term, trusted relationship with Sky Sports and are delighted that it is continuing. They have an acknowledged reputation as a premier worldwide broadcaster, who always look to take sport to new levels both editorially and in terms of innovation. We are looking forward to not only showcasing our England teams in the best possible way, but also to exploring opportunities to support the grassroots, so the whole game benefits further. The RFU is fortunate to have a group of modern, forward thinking, progressive partners and Sky clearly reflects these attributes as we look to the future.”

Sky Sports Managing Director, Barney Francis, added: “This new deal builds on our already successful partnership with the RFU. It offers our viewers even more live England rugby from the men’s, women’s and age grade game, and includes additional rights to enable us to support the game from the grassroots up to the elite level. At Sky Sports, we share the RFU’s aims to grow the sport before and after next year’s World Cup by investing across the game, and innovating with our coverage to reach new audiences.”