The Six Nations will remain on free-to-air television until 2029 following a new broadcasting agreement that ensures ITV will show all of England’s matches. Concerns had been raised about the tournament moving behind a paywall, but ITV and the BBC have successfully negotiated a deal to keep the championship accessible to viewers for the next four years.
Under the terms of the arrangement, ITV will broadcast all five of England’s men’s matches and will air 10 fixtures per year. The BBC will continue to broadcast Wales and Scotland home games, except when England is involved, and will air five matches per year. This means that Saturday’s clash between Wales and England will be the last involving England to be shown on the BBC until at least 2030.
The deal is valued at approximately £63 million annually, representing a slight increase on the previous agreement, with ITV shouldering a larger financial share. Despite initial interest, TNT Sports ultimately decided against submitting a bid, and Sky did not express interest in securing the broadcasting rights.
The decision to keep the tournament on free-to-air television has been widely welcomed. The Six Nations chief executive highlighted the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with ITV and the BBC, emphasizing that this move ensures maximum audience reach and continued engagement with the sport.
Maintaining accessibility to the tournament has been a significant concern within the rugby community. England’s Rugby Football Union has expressed satisfaction that maximum visibility for the sport has been retained. England captain Maro Itoje previously urged organizers to keep the championship on free-to-air television, stressing the importance of increasing viewership rather than limiting it. He emphasized that exposure is essential for the growth of rugby, recalling his own experience of watching the Six Nations on BBC and ITV as a child.
TNT Sports had initially considered bidding for the tournament, especially after acquiring the rights to broadcast the autumn internationals. However, in January, the broadcaster signaled that it would not pursue its interest. A TNT Sports spokesperson acknowledged the significance of the Six Nations but pointed out that its strong ties with free-to-air networks, particularly in markets like Wales and Ireland, made their involvement challenging.
Subscription broadcasters typically offer higher financial incentives for broadcasting rights but lack the audience reach of free-to-air channels. England’s victory over Ireland last year drew a peak audience of 6.6 million viewers, with some fixtures approaching 10 million. An alternative arrangement, where part of the tournament would have been broadcast on free-to-air television while the rest moved to a subscription service, was considered but ultimately not pursued. Instead, ITV and the BBC have committed to their partnership through 2029.
Additionally, as part of the new agreement, the women’s Six Nations and the under-20s competition will remain on the BBC until 2029. This decision further solidifies the effort to provide broader access to the sport, ensuring that rugby remains widely available to audiences across the UK.
By keeping the Six Nations on free-to-air television, the sport maintains its tradition of accessibility, helping to engage new and existing fans alike. The deal reflects the ongoing commitment to ensuring that the tournament continues to reach millions of viewers, securing its place as one of the most watched and celebrated rugby events in the sporting calendar.
