In an exciting development for rugby fans, PREM Rugby has announced the continuation of its free-to-air broadcast collaboration with ITV for an additional two years. This renewed agreement guarantees that ITV will showcase seven live matches each season, including the highly anticipated Gallagher Premiership final, alongside TNT Sports.
Last season's Gallagher Premiership final captured the attention of 1.3 million viewers on both ITV and TNT Sports, a significant statistic that highlights its popularity—representing one in every six viewers in the UK, yielding a market share of 16.5 percent. This marked an increase from the previous season, which recorded 1.2 million viewers.
Ollie Lewis, who oversees broadcasting for PREM Rugby, expressed enthusiasm about the extended partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to renew our collaboration with ITV, now entering its fifth year. Providing Gallagher Premiership Rugby fans with free access throughout the season, especially alongside the Six Nations, creates an excellent opportunity to display the talents within our league to a broader audience."
Niall Sloane, the director of ITV Sport, echoed this sentiment, noting, "The Gallagher Premiership offers premier-level rugby, and by extending our current agreement, ITV will continue to bring free-to-air rugby to UK audiences, further enhancing our growing rugby portfolio."
This partnership is not just about broadcasting; it’s about bringing the thrill of top-tier rugby to fans across the nation. But here's where it gets controversial: Is free-to-air access enough to keep the sport thriving in a competitive broadcasting landscape? As the rugby world evolves, how can such deals adapt to meet changing viewer habits? We invite you to share your thoughts—do you believe this extension will benefit the sport long-term?
