Category: Sport
Date: 06.10.2004
Printable version
91Èȱ¬ has agreed
a new five-year deal with the Celtic Unions (Irish Rugby Football Union,
Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union), giving 91Èȱ¬ exclusive rights
to show their Autumn Internationals on network television from 2005-2009
inclusive.
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The deal includes:
All home rugby Internationals for Wales, Scotland and Ireland;
All matches against Regional sides during the Autumn International period
(or Six Nations 'A' team Internationals);
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Live Celtic Cup rights for 91Èȱ¬ Scotland and highlights rights for 91Èȱ¬
Northern Ireland (91Èȱ¬ Wales already have a separate contract for the
Celtic League games), with the Cup Final to be shown on network television
in Grandstand*.
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Coupled with the Six Nations, 91Èȱ¬ now has all international
rugby hosted in the UK until the end of the decade, with the exception
of the England Autumn tests to which 91Èȱ¬ currently has highlights rights.
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91Èȱ¬ Sport's Head of Programmes and Planning, Pat Younge
said: "This is great news for fans, for rugby and for the 91Èȱ¬,
and reflects the strength of our relationship with the Celtic Unions.
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"The new touring schedule will see more internationals
against the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks, the UK debut for the
Pacific Islanders, and the mouth-watering possibility of seeing provinces
like Munster once again taking on the All Blacks."
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Pat Loughrey, Director of 91Èȱ¬'s Nations and Regions,
said: "Our union with the game in the Celtic nations has developed
over many years and I am pleased that we have been able to extend that
partnership for another five years.
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"Sport is an important national identifier for
our audiences and we look forward to building our relationship with
rugby fans and with the Unions in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
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"With our colleagues in 91Èȱ¬ Sport, this agreement
enables us to provide full and free coverage of the national sides for
rugby followers of all ages.
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"We look forward to providing extensive commentary
and analysis across our analogue, digital and new media services. It
may be the same ball but it's a whole new ball-game."
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Scottish Rugby's Chief Executive Phil Anderton said:
"I'm delighted at today's announcement which extends the 91Èȱ¬'s
outstanding coverage over the Autumn period and their commitment to
the Celtic Cup.
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"Viewing figures for rugby in Scotland on the 91Èȱ¬
have seen a significant rise in recent years and we are confident that
this trend will continue with the new deal.
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"This deal provides Scottish
Rugby with stable income streams. Alongside the recently announced RBS
Six Nations deal, our relationship with the 91Èȱ¬ will generate further
income and make a significant positive impact on our finances."
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IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: "The new
five-year Autumn International deal represents a strong statement by
the 91Èȱ¬ on behalf of rugby in the Celtic Unions.
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"Coming in the wake of the new Celtic League contract,
the 91Èȱ¬ initiative provides further necessary revenues for our Unions,
while also providing a wider landscape for the viewing of the matches."
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WRU Group Chief Executive David Moffet said: "I
am delighted that we can announce the extension of the 91Èȱ¬'s contract.
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"The 91Èȱ¬ is an important partner of the WRU and
we see this as a hugely positive step for both the WRU and the 91Èȱ¬.
It is a boost for fans of rugby for years to come where Celtic rugby
is concerned."
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Notes to Editors
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* Celtic Cup Final to be shown on Network in Grandstand
subject to scheduling.
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Over the past 12 months 91Èȱ¬ has secured the rights to:
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the Six Nations, Wimbledon, Moto GP and UK Athletics, all to the end
of the decade;
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exclusive England, home, football internationalsÌýand the cream
of the FA Cup until 2008;
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Rugby League Challenge Cup (and Tri Nations highlights) until 2008;
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US Masters until 2007;
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Premiership rights for Match of the Day,Ìýwhich returned this August,Ìýuntil
2007;
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Winter and Summer Olympic Games for 2010 and 2012.
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Autumn Internationals Schedule
for 2004
Saturday 6 November
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2.15 for 2.45pm KO Wales v South Africa (Live) 91Èȱ¬
ONE Grandstand
5.15 for 5.30pm KO Scotland v Australia (Live) 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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Saturday 13 November
2.15 for 2.45pm KO Ireland v South Africa (Live) 91Èȱ¬ ONE Grandstand
Sunday 14 November
4.15pm England v Canada (Highlights) 91Èȱ¬ TWO Sunday Grandstand
5.00pm Scotland v Japan (Highlights) 91Èȱ¬ TWO Sunday Grandstand
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Saturday 20 November
2.30 for 2.45pm KO Scotland v Australia (Live) 91Èȱ¬ ONE Grandstand
5.15 for 5.30pm KO Wales v New Zealand (Live) 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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Sunday 21 November
3.30pm England v South Africa (Highlights) 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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Saturday 27 November
2.20 for 2.45pm KO Scotland v South Africa (Live) 91Èȱ¬ ONE Grandstand
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Sunday 28 November
1.20pm England v Australia (Highlights) 91Èȱ¬ TWO
Followed by Ireland v Argentina (Highlights) 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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Saturday 4 December
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2.30 for 3.00pm KO Barbarians v New Zealand (Live)
91Èȱ¬ ONE Grandstand (Programme includes coverage of Parliamentary Rugby
Awards)
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