BT Sport is serving up a feast of festive rugby union this Christmas and New Year after announcing that it is to make a selection of Aviva Premiership matches available for anyone to watch.
Four top live games from English rugby’s top flight will be free-to-view to everyone who has access to BT Sport’s channels via their TV platform, as well online via the BT Sport website, starting with Sale Sharks who take on Exeter Chiefs on Friday night.
Big Game 7 at Twickenham between Harlequins and Northampton Saints on December 27 will be the second free-to-view match, followed by Newcastle Falcons take a trip to Franklin’s Gardens on January 2 and Gloucester Rugby welcome Saracens to Kingsholm on January 9.
UK viewers can watch the games over the four week free-to-view period either online at btsport.com or on TV via the BT TV and Sky platforms.
The free rugby offering over Christmas follows similar trials by BT Sport last season, which are used in a bid to boost its main subscriber numbers.
BT Sport is once again screening 69 exclusively live Aviva Premiership matches throughout the season, featuring all 12 sides in English club rugby’s top flight from the opening round in September through to the play-offs in May, with ITV and ITV4 again screening regular free-to-air highlights on Sunday evenings.
The channel is in the second of a four-year deal with Premiership Rugby – which expires in 2017 – and will share live coverage of European club rugby for the first time with Sky Sports this season with both networks carrying live games from the new European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup.
Craig Doyle presents BT Sport’s rugby coverage alongside analysts Lawrence Dallaglio, Ben Kay, Matt Dawson and Austin Healey, with match commentary provided by Nick Mullins and Alastair Eykyn, while Sarra Elgan and Martin Bayfield lead the pitchside reporting team.
New customers to BT Sport can get BT Sport HD absolutely free for three months if they sign up between December 19, 2014 and February 4, 2015, subject to line speed.
Customers wishing to order BT Sport can do so by calling 0800 400 440 or by visiting btsport.com. BT Sport is free for customers who take BT Broadband or is available from £13.50 per month on the Sky platform.
TV viewers can watch the free rugby games via the following channels: BT TV 507/508 (SD), 510/511 (HD) or Sky (413/414).
Follow @BTSport on Twitter for the latest news and for exclusive behind-the-scenes access and competitions, see BT Sport on Facebook.
RUGBY UNION ON THE BOX – LIVE TV GAMES
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| AVIVA PREMIERSHIP – FREE TO VIEW GAMES on BT SPORT |
| FRIDAY 19th DECEMBER |
| Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs Aviva Premiership – Round 10 | 19:45 |
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| SATURDAY 27th DECEMBER |
| Harlequins v Northampton Saints Aviva Premiership – Round 11 | 16:30 |
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| FRIDAY 2nd JANUARY |
| Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons Aviva Premiership – Round 12 | 19:45 |
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| FRIDAY 9th JANUARY |
| Gloucester v Saracens Aviva Premiership – Round 13 | 19:45 |
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