Rugby union fans across the UK will be able to watch one of BT Sport’s top live Aviva Premiership matches for free this Friday.
The broadcaster has confirmed that it will make the clash between 2012 champions Harlequins and last season’s runners-up Northampton Saints available via BT Sport on all major television platforms, regardless of subscription.
Both teams secured thrilling victories in the first round of matches last Saturday and BT Sport is offering the live game at the Stoop between Quins and the Saints on Sky, Virgin, Freeview and BT TV from 7pm to 10pm on Friday, September 13.
Those who have subscribed to BT Sport already will also be able to watch through their normal channels, as well as by logging into the BT Sport website or App.
Viewers can expect to see a fiercely competitive match. Harlequins and Saints have met each other 31 times, with Quins shading it so far with 16 wins to 14 with one match drawn.
Only three points separated the teams when they last met in May earlier this year when Quins won 22-19.
BT Sport confirmed that viewing figures from the channel’s first weekend of live Aviva Premiership action were 45 per cent higher than ESPN and Sky Sports’ audiences across their opening games last season.
Newcastle v Bath averaged 67k viewers (peak 108k) – and this was at the same time as England’s World Cup qualifier on ITV, while the Twickenham double header – London Irish v Saracens and London Wasps v Harlequins – attracted 77k and 103k viewers on average (111k and 121k in match audience).
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for those rugby fans who haven’t yet signed up to BT Sport to see just how good our coverage is.
“It’s also a chance for those new to rugby to sample the action and be converted to the game.
“We want to bring the excitement of club rugby to as big an audience as possible. We are the new home of club rugby with exclusively live Aviva Premiership Rugby games across the season.”
BT Sport’s rugby coverage will include several innovative and creative new elements in the presentation of live rugby, including interviews with players, directors of rugby and coaches during the game.
The channel is also introducing dressing room cameras and new camera angles including a ‘Lineout Cam’ which can be lifted above the touch judge giving a great view of the lineout and the ball, as well as ‘Kicking Cam’, a small remote camera which is placed behind the kicker giving a new low angle from directly behind the kick.
Green added: “We’re very pleased with the coverage so far of the new Aviva Premiership Rugby season.
“We’ve begun trying out a few different ways to present the games and feedback has been very positive. We will only use these innovations where it makes editorial sense and enhances the coverage.”
Dominic Hayes, Commercial director at Premiership Rugby, said: “Premiership Rugby is delighted with this news from BT Sport.
“We take our responsibility to grow the game very seriously so to have this crucial Aviva Premiership Rugby match available on all these platforms is a big bonus.
“If the first weekend’s matches are a guide this is set to be a cracker, one that will be watched by an even bigger audience.
“Rugby people everywhere should applaud the decision, as it brings more people into contact with top-flight club rugby.”
BT Sport’s rugby coverage is fronted by Craig Doyle, with former England captain and British and Irish Lions star Lawrence Dallaglio joined by ex-England and Lions internationals Matt Dawson, Ben Kay and Austin Healey.
Experienced rugby union broadcasters Nick Mullins and Alastair Ekyn are the commentators and Sarra Elgan and ex-England star Martin Bayfield are reporters.
As well as exclusively live rugby on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, BT Sport’s coverage includes a midweek rugby show – Rugby Tonight, which features debate, explanation and banter, in a light hearted manner presented by Craig Doyle, Martin Bayfield, Sarra Elgan and Matt Dawson, with Ben Kay and Austin Healey as regular guests.
BT Sport is showing 69 live games from the Aviva Premiership for four years from the start of the 2013/14 season.
It is also showing the Premiership Rugby Sevens for four years, as well as two live matches a week from the French Top 14 league.
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Friday 13th September
Aviva Premiership: Harlequins v Northampton Saints
LIVE: 7.00pm-10.00pm BT Sport 1
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