BT Sport TV Grabs European Rugby Rights Until 2021/22

Telecoms and broadband giant BT has boosted their premium TV credentials today by acquiring the rights to broadcast all of the European Rugby Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup matches live in the UK and Ireland, which will start from the 2018/19 season and run until at least 2021/22.

Apparently the deal means that up to 134 matches over nine weekends will be broadcast in both competitions and will be shown live on BT Sport. All of this is in addition to their existing deal for Aviva Premiership Rugby matches (here) and no doubt BT will be hoping that this helps to further weaken Sky’s position in the paid Sport TV market.

Andy Haworth, BT’s MD of Content and Strategy, said:

“BT Sport is now the home of elite European rugby, as well as the home of Aviva Premiership Rugby. We’re proud to have won all of the live rights for this fantastic competition. We’re extremely passionate about our rugby coverage and will continue to work hard to grow the profile of the sport.”

End.