BBC Wales has suffered a significant setback as they have lost the rights to broadcast United Rugby Championship (URC) games. Premier Sports has secured a new broadcast deal that will run until 2029, enabling them to air all 151 URC games per season. This deal includes exclusive broadcasts for free-to-air channels in Wales and Northern Ireland, with BBC Wales no longer being among the broadcasters set to show the matches. S4C is currently in discussions to take over the Welsh broadcasting rights.
This is the second time that BBC Wales has missed out on showing live coverage of the URC, with Premier Sports initially winning the contract in 2018. Despite submitting a competitive bid, BBC Wales was not successful in acquiring the rights this time around. Internal emails within the corporation have confirmed the loss of broadcast rights, prompting discussions about potential coverage of the Welsh Premiership’s successor, Super Rygbi Cymru.
While BBC Wales had started producing highlight packages of URC games in recent seasons, changes in programming have been evident. The traditional Sunday highlights show has been replaced by a new ‘multi-platform’ format airing on Thursdays. The decision to reduce rugby coverage was influenced by budget constraints, with the corporation emphasizing the need to operate within its means.
BBC bosses reassured staff that the quality of their URC coverage has been exceptional and that they will continue to report on the competition regularly. Despite facing challenges in retaining broadcasting rights, the corporation highlighted successful agreements for other sporting events like Wales men’s international football and the Six Nations. The recent announcement regarding the extension of the Six Nations on free-to-air channels until 2029 contrasted with the loss of URC rights for BBC Wales.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s involvement in media rights negotiations has also been noted, with CEO Abi Tierney mentioning discussions with Premier Sports and S4C, excluding any reference to BBC Wales. The shift towards paid broadcasting for URC games reflects changing trends in sports coverage and audience preferences. As BBC Wales navigates these changes, they are committed to delivering high-quality content across all their sporting programmes.
In the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, BBC Wales faces the challenge of adapting to new agreements and distribution models. While the loss of URC rights is a setback, the corporation remains dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of rugby and other sports. The shift towards digital platforms and multi-platform shows signifies a broader transformation in how audiences consume sports content. As BBC Wales explores new strategies for engaging viewers, the future of sports broadcasting in Wales continues to evolve.