13/11/2015

Six Nations Broadcast Deal To Remain Unchanged

Minister for Communications, Alex White, has welcomed the announcement that the Six Nations Rugby Championship will continue to be broadcast live on a free-to-air terrestrial TV channel until 2021.

The current broadcast arrangement with RTÉ will remain in place until 2017, when it will then move to TV3.

Minister White said the announcement was a positive development, which he would take into account when considering the future designation of the tournament.

Minister White said he had yet to decide whether to re-designate Irish games in the tournament, under the Broadcasting Act 2009, so that they are legally required to be broadcast live on at least one free-to-air Irish TV channel.

Minister White said: "The agreement announced today is a positive development, which will be warmly welcomed by rugby fans across the country. I will certainly take it into account when making my decision on the possible live designation of Ireland's Six Nation ties in the longer term.

"I have been consulting with sporting bodies, broadcasters and the public on this issue, and I understand that the rugby authorities want to maintain free access to live TV coverage of Irish games in this championship. My role is to decide whether, in the long-term, this is best done by designating the events or by leaving things as they are."

(MH/CD)

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