BBC Wales will fill the void left by the loss of its Guinness PRO14 coverage by screening live coverage of Principality Premiership rugby on Friday nights during the 2018-19 season.
The corporation were outbid by pay-TV broadcaster Premier Sports for PRO14 rights, spelling the end of its live coverage of the competition and leaving a gaping hole in BBC Wales’ sports output.
But the corporation has decided to back the semi-professional tier by committing to a deal to screen live games during the 2018-19 season, in high-definition, on BBC Two Wales on Friday evenings.
How Principality Premiership matches will be received by viewers used to watching full-time professional action from the PRO14 remains to be seen, but in a press release announcing the news, BBC Wales labelled the coming season as ‘the most exciting yet’, emphasising the ‘historic rivalries’ and ‘local derbies’ that will be on offer.
The new agreement will see live Premiership rugby games broadcast regularly on BBC Two Wales, and across the UK via the BBC Sport website, on Friday nights.
The first match to be broadcast will be from Eugene Cross Park where Ebbw Vale will take on Aberavon on 7 September, with festive derby matches on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day also to follow.
In addition to live Principality Premiership matches, BBC Wales’ flagship rugby highlights programme Scrum V Sunday will continue to be broadcast regularly on Sunday evenings, though the BBC is yet to confirm whether Scrum V will carry free-to-air highlights of PRO14 matches.
Geoff Williams, Head of Sport at BBC Cymru Wales, said:
“Friday night rugby on the BBC has been a staple part of the sporting diet in Wales for many years, and armchair rugby fans will be delighted to see it continue. By securing these rights, fans will be able to continue to watch free-to-air rugby every week on BBC Cymru Wales as well the Scrum V highlights programme on Sunday evenings.”
“The revamped Premiership will be an exciting competition that’s rooted in communities across Wales, and it has a strong following amongst rugby fans. This season, there is certain to be a significant amount of jeopardy and rivalry among the sides vying to top the league and BBC Wales will be there to bring our audiences all the drama from the touchline.”
Alongside BBC Wales’ live games on Friday nights, Welsh-language channel S4C is expected to continue broadcasting selected live Principality Premiership fixtures during the season, alongside regular live coverage of Guinness PRO14 matches.
The Principality Premiership is to be cut back from 16 to 12 clubs at the end of the 2018-19 season, with promotion and relegation from the Championship being reintroduced.
With so much riding on next season the division promises to be the most exciting for years. There will be home and away league games plus four teams contesting end of season play-offs.
Welsh Rugby Union head of performance, Geraint John, said:
“This a great opportunity for all of the Premiership clubs to demonstrate their quality at the top end of club rugby in Wales. Collectively there is a great history running through the clubs and with a lot of young aspiring players stepping up to the top end of club rugby where they will meet players who have already established themselves in the game, the chance to play in front of a new televised audience is an exciting prospect for all concerned.”
Ebbw Vale Chairman and Director, Jonathan Jones, added:
“This is fantastic news in general as it is a great chance to showcase top quality club rugby in Wales on a regular basis. It will raise awareness of the league significantly as I believe the Premiership is the best kept secret in Wales. Televising Principality Premiership fixtures is a positive move and we’re already looking forward to hosting Aberavon in the first televised game of the season.”
For more information about the Principality Premiership, visit the WRU website – wru.co.uk.
