- TNT Sports are reportedly interested in securing broadcast deal for Six Nations
- Gabby Logan claimed move away from terrestrial TV could decrease viewership
Gabby Logan has suggested that moving the Six Nations away from terrestrial television could be disastrous for the sport of rugby.
Broadcasting rights for the annual international competition have been shared between BBC and ITV since 2016, with the most recent contract running until after this year’s tournament.
The current agreement sees ITV broadcast England, Ireland and Italy home games, while the Beeb retained the rights to Scotland, Wales, and France home matches.
However, in recent days reports have suggested that TNT Sports could look to swoop in and acquire the rights for the 2026 edition onwards.
The broadcaster already shows the Gallagher Premiership, and last year acquired the rights to broadcast the Autumn Internationals on a two-year contract.
Speaking in a recent podcast appearance, BBC presenter Gabby Logan insisted the Six Nations being moved away from free-to-air TV could have significant consequences for the sport as a whole.
Reports have suggested TNT Sports could move to acquire the broadcasting rights for the Six Nations
BBC presenter Gabby Logan insisted a move away from free-to-air TV could be to the detriment of the sport as a whole
Logan suggested that casual rugby fans may not tune in to the tournament if it is moved behind a paywall
‘We’re talking about people who don’t watch rugby all the time,’ Logan said on the Sports Agents podcast alongside co-host Mark Chapman.
‘Enjoying these massive occasions, finding out more about the sport, enjoying the combat, enjoying the rivalry. That, if the Six Nations goes behind a paywall potentially, will be completely lost.
‘That neutral fan, that person that doesn’t really know rugby, coming along and enjoying the ride, they’re not necessarily going to go and bother to buy TNT or wherever the sport takes the Six Nations.’
Logan went on to suggest that the difference between the offer from BBC and ITV and that of TNT Sports could be as little as £10million.
She continued: ‘[It’s] not a lot in the scheme of things when you consider the sponsors and the brands who are not going to get the exposure that they would get on terrestrial television.’
‘Is this rugby union potentially shooting itself in the foot again?’
