Sky Sports Signs New Four-Year Deal to Air European Rugby

Premium UK sports broadcaster, Sky Sports has agreed a new four-year deal with the ERC for exclusive live coverage of European rugby competitions.

The extended contract starts in the autumn of 2014, after the current deal, and will extend the long-standing relationship with the ERC to the end of the 2017/2018 season, a 15th year.

Under the new ERC deal Sky Sports will continue to hold exclusive live rights to the Heineken Cup with exclusive live matches from each of the first six rounds, plus all knockout stages and finals for a further four seasons, across the UK and Ireland.

Also their Amlin Challenge Cup coverage will be exclusive live coverage of matches in the opening rounds, knockout stages, both semi-finals and the final across the UK and Ireland.

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “This new deal with the ERC gives us live European Rugby for another four seasons.

“We have been pleased to be partners with the ERC for over a decade and see their tournaments grow. This is rugby of the highest quality and these competitions give our viewers over 60 live games across eight months.

“The Heineken Cup and Amlin Cup will continue to line up with our exclusive live coverage of the British & Irish Lions, England’s autumn internationals and the best rugby from the southern hemisphere.”

ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath said: “Over the past 10 years Sky Sports has made a major contribution to the development of European club rugby and ERC is delighted to be able to extend our partnership for a further four seasons until 2018.

“Sky Sports’ innovative coverage and commitment has greatly enhanced the game in Europe and we look forward to working together over the next six seasons as the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup reaches new heights.”

This season Sky Sports offers live rugby union throughout the calendar with; the Heineken Cup, Amlin Challenge Cup, England’s QBE Autumn Internationals, the British & Irish Lions tour, Sothern Hemisphere rugby and the Aviva Premiership. Coverage is available live on Sky Sports HD channels across TV, PC, mobile and tablet devices.