BT Sport has confirmed its latest set of live 2013-14 Aviva Premiership fixtures for the winter and festive period, covering rounds eight to 12.
Harlequins’ eagerly-awaited Aviva Premiership clash with Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham is the pick of the games to that will be shown live over the Christmas weekend, as the channel continues its exclusive live coverage of English rugby union’s top-flight.
The match on Saturday, December 28, is ‘Big Game 6’, kicking off at 4.00pm and will be one of three matches covered live over the Christmas weekend.
BT Sport’s live weekend of festive rugby kicks off under ‘Friday Night Lights’ on December 27 at 7.45pm when Newcastle Falcons will host a Christmas cracker against London Wasps, while on Sunday, December 29, Gloucester travel to London Irish for a 2.00pm kick off.
The new set of live TV selections announced by BT Sport kick off in round eight when Sale Sharks entertain Worcester Warriors at 7.45pm on Friday, November 22.
Round eight’s televised matches are rounded off with Newcastle Falcons’ trip to Northampton Saints on Saturday, November 23 (3.15pm).
Then a day later, BT Sport’s cameras will arrive at Adams Park to show London Wasps’ clash with Bath Rugby.
BT Sport is exclusive home of all live Aviva Premiership rugby fixtures for the next four seasons, screening at least 69 live games each year for the duration of its contract.
TV audiences for live Premiership games have increased significantly since BT took over the rights from ESPN and Sky Sports, with viewing figures up 130% on the first two weekends compared to last season.
Free-to-air highlights of Aviva Premiership games are also available to watch every week throughout the season on ITV4 at 8pm, repeated on ITV at 11.45pm, giving the competition a prominent platform on terrestrial television.
Commenting on BT Sport’s latest live match selections, Premiership Rugby’s commercial director Dominic Hayes said: “Harlequins’ Christmas trip to Twickenham Stadium has become an unmissable fixture in the English rugby calendar and it is fitting that the BT Sport cameras should make another trip to HQ for this game.”
“We have already heard that many Chiefs fans have made plans to make the journey east so it should be an unforgettable Aviva Premiership Rugby occasion with a cracking atmosphere.”
Hayes added: “The first two weekends with BT Sport were a big success. The figures prove the huge interest in Aviva Premiership Rugby and we are delighted to see all of the hard work delivering results.”
BT Sport boss Simon Green said: “Aviva Premiership Rugby has become a fabulous showcase of what is best on BT Sport.”
“On Aviva Premiership weekends we cover live games Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the very best of the action.
“Additionally Rugby Tonight, our big studio magazine show, has proved extremely popular with viewers and is full of lively debate, explanation and banter every Wednesday evening.
“All of this is presented by our fantastic line up of rugby experts and presenters.
“We wanted to help grow the popularity of club rugby and I’m delighted to see that BT Sport’s coverage is working for the game.”
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ROUND 9
Friday 29th November
Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers (7.45pm)
Saturday 30th November
Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (3.15pm)
Sunday 1st December
Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins (2.30pm)
ROUND 10
Friday 20th December
Sale Sharks v London Irish (7.45pm)
Saturday 21st December
Saracens v Leicester Tigers (3.15pm)
Sunday 22nd December
Gloucester Rugby v Worcester Warriors (2.00pm)
ROUND 11
Friday 27th December
Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps (7.45pm)
Saturday 28th December
Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs (4.00pm)
Saturday 29th December
London Irish v Gloucester Rugby (2.00pm)
ROUND 12
Friday 3rd January
Northampton Saints v Harlequins (7.45pm)
Saturday 4th January
Gloucester Rugby v Saracens (3.15pm)
Sunday 5th January
Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby (2.00pm)
