BBC may not broadcast Six Nations

[Tichtheid]

"The BBC may no longer be able to afford to keep its share of the Six Nations because of the spiralling costs of broadcast rights and a fall in its income, its outgoing director of sport has warned MPs.

Barbara Slater told the culture, media and sport select committee that “incredibly difficult” decisions would have to be taken because of sports rights having more than doubled in the past decade, while the BBC’s income had gone down 30% in real terms.

The tournament has traditionally been available free to air in the UK, but it is not among the protected listed events in the same way that the men’s and women’s World Cup, the Olympics and Wimbledon are."

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... ions-rugby

[Slick]

This would be the absolute worst thing that could happen to rugby in terms of broadcasting.

[assfly]

Just speaking hypothetically, if the Sprinboks joined the 6N would this improve the financial situation of the competition?

[Raggs]

Just speaking hypothetically, if the Sprinboks joined the 6N would this improve the financial situation of the competition?

It wouldn't make purchasing the rights any cheaper.

[Slick]

Just speaking hypothetically, if the Sprinboks joined the 6N would this improve the financial situation of the competition?

It wouldn't make purchasing the rights any cheaper.

He's on the wind up. They have their own thread to thrash about in

[inactionman]

Just speaking hypothetically, if the Sprinboks joined the 6N would this improve the financial situation of the competition?

It would bankrupt it - flying Brian Moore and entourage down to Joburg first class

[Sandstorm]

Just speaking hypothetically, if the Sprinboks joined the 6N would this improve the financial situation of the competition?

It would bankrupt it - flying Brian Moore and entourage down to Joburg first class

New Virgin Upper Class is cheaper and better than BA First Class.

[shaggy]

This would be the absolute worst thing that could happen to rugby in terms of broadcasting.

If we also discount the other terrestrial broadcasters picking up the slack then yes, but losing the BBC is not all bad.

[Brazil]

This would be the absolute worst thing that could happen to rugby in terms of broadcasting.

If we also discount the other terrestrial broadcasters picking up the slack then yes, but losing the BBC is not all bad.

If the Beeb can't afford it I'd be surprised if other terrestrial broadcasters could, though Channel 4 would be a decent move if they could actually show all the games. Realistically Amazon will be the biggest competition I suspect, and if they put up enough cash then the 6N will leap at the opportunity out of short term interest.

[Lobby]

This would be the absolute worst thing that could happen to rugby in terms of broadcasting.

If we also discount the other terrestrial broadcasters picking up the slack then yes, but losing the BBC is not all bad.

If the Beeb can't afford it I'd be surprised if other terrestrial broadcasters could, though Channel 4 would be a decent move if they could actually show all the games. Realistically Amazon will be the biggest competition I suspect, and if they put up enough cash then the 6N will leap at the opportunity out of short term interest.

The Government rejected a recommendation from the DCMS committee in 2020 to put the 6N on the free-to-air protected list so there is nothing to stop it moving off terrestrial TV altogether. Most likely it will be Amazon.

[sockwithaticket]

ITV have most of the games now anyway. It'd be a shame if we moved to them completely (though as an England fan all our games are already there) since their coverage is even worse than the Beeb's, but as long is stays free to air it's fine.

I can absolutely see the cash strapped unions shooting themselves in the foot by putting it behind a paywall with little thought to how much it will cost them to compensate for the lack of exposure the general populace would get to the sport. Cricket and F1 are there as cautionary tales for engagement once free to air viewing disappears.

[Lobby]

ITV have most of the games now anyway. It'd be a shame if we moved to them completely (though as an England fan all our games are already there) since their coverage is even worse than the Beeb's, but as long is stays free to air it's fine.

I can absolutely see the cash strapped unions shooting themselves in the foot by putting it behind a paywall with little thought to how much it will cost them to compensate for the lack of exposure the general populace would get to the sport. Cricket and F1 are there as cautionary tales for engagement once free to air viewing disappears.

Don't forget that CVC as part-owners of the 6N commercial rights will also have a say in what happens and would probably go for the the more lucrative deal in the short term rather than worrying about long-term exposure.

[Line6 HXFX]

You still need a license to watch live broadcasts in the UK, no matter what they do with it, so the BBC gets paid either way.

[sockwithaticket]

ITV have most of the games now anyway. It'd be a shame if we moved to them completely (though as an England fan all our games are already there) since their coverage is even worse than the Beeb's, but as long is stays free to air it's fine.

I can absolutely see the cash strapped unions shooting themselves in the foot by putting it behind a paywall with little thought to how much it will cost them to compensate for the lack of exposure the general populace would get to the sport. Cricket and F1 are there as cautionary tales for engagement once free to air viewing disappears.

Don't forget that CVC as part-owners of the 6N commercial rights will also have a say in what happens and would probably go for the the more lucrative deal in the short term rather than worrying about long-term exposure.

Ugh, I did forget about those leeches.

[Tichtheid]

You still need a license to watch live broadcasts in the UK, no matter what they do with it, so the BBC gets paid either way.

Part of the problem is the the BBC's income is down 30% in real terms.

[Sandstorm]

You still need a license to watch live broadcasts in the UK, no matter what they do with it, so the BBC gets paid either way.

Part of the problem is the the BBC's income is down 30% in real terms.

Their News reporting accuracy is also down around 30%.

[Tichtheid]

This would be the absolute worst thing that could happen to rugby in terms of broadcasting.

I think so too. If ITV or C4 get it it would be okay, but losing free to air is a massive blow for the sport in the UK, imo.

[clydecloggie]

This would be the absolute worst thing that could happen to rugby in terms of broadcasting.

I think so too. If ITV or C4 get it it would be okay, but losing free to air is a massive blow for the sport in the UK, imo.

CVC or whatever they're called don't care about such things. They simply want maximum return on their investment.

[Lobby]

ITV have most of the games now anyway. It'd be a shame if we moved to them completely (though as an England fan all our games are already there) since their coverage is even worse than the Beeb's, but as long is stays free to air it's fine.

I can absolutely see the cash strapped unions shooting themselves in the foot by putting it behind a paywall with little thought to how much it will cost them to compensate for the lack of exposure the general populace would get to the sport. Cricket and F1 are there as cautionary tales for engagement once free to air viewing disappears.

Don't forget that CVC as part-owners of the 6N commercial rights will also have a say in what happens and would probably go for the the more lucrative deal in the short term rather than worrying about long-term exposure.

Ugh, I did forget about those leeches.

Mind you, the RFU might think there is some benefit from hiding this current England team's performances from the general public.

[Line6 HXFX]

You still need a license to watch live broadcasts in the UK, no matter what they do with it, so the BBC gets paid either way.

Part of the problem is the the BBC's income is down 30% in real terms.

Just saying, the beeb gets paid either way, by license fee payers, whether they show it or not.
Whether they lose it or not.
It will be a live broadcast.
It's actually amazing they bother bidding for or showing any live events or broadcasting anything at all, when everyone has to pay the license fee regardless, because everything piggy backs off their infrastructure.


To inform innovate and entertain should be to harass, intimidate and enter (your house).

[Rhubarb & Custard]

How much do the Beeb pay at present, how much is a future ask and thus how many Gary Linekers need to be fired to free up cash for something more useful than someone who sells cancer to children?