Premiership Rugby chief: BT TV deal will strengthen European rugby

Mark McCafferty. Photo: Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
4:23 PM

Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty says Premiership Rugby’s new £152million broadcast deal with BT could strengthen club rugby across Europe.

In a ground-breaking move for the club game in England, BT will have the exclusive live broadcast rights for four years to show Aviva Premiership Rugby and the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Sevens from the 2013-14 season.

“We anticipate that this is the beginning of an excellent partnership with BT,” said McCafferty.

“It’s an outstanding deal to support the continued development of Premiership Rugby and in addition, the value of the European element from our clubs’ rights will serve to help strengthen European rugby in its future competitions.

“Although the exact format of European competitions post 2014 is not yet agreed between the parties in Europe, this deal will certainly strengthen European club rugby for all parties.

“We are committed to finding an agreement including competitions which not only involve all teams from the existing European countries but also the emerging rugby markets. It is important that rugby continues to expand and grow.

We have made proposals and we look forward to progressing discussions.”