Magners League Announces New TV Deal
Celtic Rugby has announced that it has secured a new television deal that will see terrestrial broadcasters, BBC ALBA, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TG4, join its established partners BBC Wales and S4C in televising Magners League games next season.
The deal, which is in place until 2013/14 season, will see an expansion of live broadcasts of Magners League games into Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Most regular season home matches involving Leinster, Munster and Connacht will be available free-to-air in Ireland on either RTE or TG4 with scheduled kick-offs mostly of Friday or Saturday evenings.
BBC Northern Ireland will focus on Ulster home games, with Friday evening as the preferred kick-off time, while Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors games will be covered by BBC ALBA.
BBC Wales and S4C continue with their established Friday and Saturday evening timeslots, with most of their games scheduled for those times.
All broadcasters will enjoy reciprocal feeds, so supporters can follow their local teams for vital away games, and all have agreed to provide live coverage of any end of season play-off matches that fall within their territories.
All broadcasters will enjoy reciprocal feeds, so supporters can follow their local teams for vital away games, and all have agreed to provide live coverage of any end of season play-off matches that fall within their territories.
In welcoming the news, David Jordan, Tournament Director of the Magners League, said: “It is very good news that we now have strong broadcast partners in the UK and Ireland – that increases access for fans of the Magners League to one of the most competitive tournaments with some of the best known players in world rugby.
“Our new broadcasters, BBC ALBA, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TG4, compliment our existing partners, BBC Wales and S4C, and will provide unparalleled coverage of Magners League games in the coming season.”
John Hussey, Chairman of Celtic Rugby and IRFU Junior Vice President, commented: “This is a very welcome development for the Magners League as a growing competition.
“With such strong and established terrestrial sports broadcasters committing themselves to the league, it can only continue the development of the competition and is an example of the balance of free-to-air coverage that is needed to support the game in the competing unions.”
HOW TO WATCH MAGNERS LEAGUE GAMES NEXT SEASON –
HOW TO WATCH MAGNERS LEAGUE GAMES NEXT SEASON –
BBC ALBA
Available UK-wide on Sky channel 168 and Freesat 110. It is available streamed and on 7-day catch-up on iPlayer.
Available UK-wide on Sky channel 168 and Freesat 110. It is available streamed and on 7-day catch-up on iPlayer.
BBC ONE Northern Ireland
Virgin channel 863, Sky 973.
Virgin channel 863, Sky 973.
BBC TWO Northern Ireland
Sky channel 992
Freeview BBC 1 NI & BBC 2 NI only available in Northern Ireland.
Sky channel 992
Freeview BBC 1 NI & BBC 2 NI only available in Northern Ireland.
BBC TWO Wales
In Wales on Freeview channel 2, digital satellite (Sky and Freesat) 102, and Virgin 102.
Outside Wales via digital satellite on channel 991.
In Wales on Freeview channel 2, digital satellite (Sky and Freesat) 102, and Virgin 102.
Outside Wales via digital satellite on channel 991.
RTE
Only available on the island of Ireland.
Only available on the island of Ireland.
S4C
In Wales on Sky channel 104, Freeview 4, Virgin 167, Freesat 104.
In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. on Sky 134 and Freesat 120.
In Wales on Sky channel 104, Freeview 4, Virgin 167, Freesat 104.
In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. on Sky 134 and Freesat 120.
TG4
Only available on the island of Ireland.
Only available on the island of Ireland.