Southern Hemisphere Rugby Union Coverage

[graceland22]

Now this weekend Superleague are playing 12 matches (Fri-Mon) and SKY will be showing only 2!!! Another nail in the coffin for rugby watchers. They cannot even provide a highlights package. Trans-Tasman Cup is ignored as well!

I have my BT Sport through SKY and don't think I will be able to cancel SKY sports without losing BT Sport as well.

[japitts]

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@D+Brewster wrote:

Luckily Sky are the only company that gave us a payment break during the lockdown of 2020, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt until the Lions tour.

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Long time lurker on this board but first-time poster, I'm not with Sky TV but do have Sky Sports - historically because of their international rugby coverage.

With the autumn-international rights likely "up for grabs" at the moment, and I dare say a new Sanzaar deal also on the horizon, this comment is absolutely where I am. I don't like streaming services for major events, and am not an Amazon fan, so am desperately hoping Sky manage to secure at least one of these tournaments before the Lions tour finishes.

[ukflyboy]

I've just had an email though from Rugby Pass telling me they have the All Black's internationals at £10 per match day. Personally I think they have massively misjudged their pricing there - £30 for 30 odd trans tasman super rugby matches was reasonable; £10 per day not so much, especially when they don't have a range of other sport to watch the same day like a Now pass!

Sadly it looks like my days of watching my country play are over for the time being. 

[japitts]

Rugbypass are clearly going for the niche market of hardcore fans here. Also those willing to watch on "devices" rather than a big-screen TV, not to mention the point that this is an NZ-rugby-specific arrangement, Australian games are somewhat out on a limb now.

It'll take Sanzaar as well as Sky (or any other UK sports channel, but they're the obvious fit) to make a new deal work. Let's hope some collective sense is seen in time for The Rugby Championship.

[graceland22]

Even Freesport, SC4 & BBC NI were doing better than Sky recently in showing RU - French Top14 finals, Pro14 & Rainbow cup. SKY are heavily trailering the Lions matches as if they cared about RU.

[japitts]

Credit where it's due, Sky have picked up the Aussie vs France series - which if the first game yesterday was anything to go by, could be a cracker.

I'd really like to hope that at least one of the Rugby Championship and/or NH November series could land on Sky - but it takes more than one party to tango....

[TomJ123]

Has anybody managed to find out whether Sky are showing the Rugby Championship this August? And possible the NZ v Aus Bledisloe Cup game on 7th August? I can't seem to find any information online regarding it. Perhaps Rugbypass will take it if sky don't again?

[japitts]

Nothing's been announced regarding TV rights for either NH autumn internationals, or SH Rugby Championship as yet - I also hope Sky secure at least one of these, preferably both.

Far be it from me to suggest sich things, but Sanzaar are the rights holders for SH rugby - I wouldn't expect any reply but a quick note from https://super.rugby/general/contact/ can't go amiss 😉

[TomJ123]

For what it's worth I have just phoned sky customer service and was told they currently have no intentions of showing any of the southern Hemisphere rugby, specifically the bledisloe cup or rugby championship.  They did say to keep an eye on it incase they decide to make a last minute bid for it but currently it's not looking good. 

hopefully rugbypass pick it up again.  

[ukflyboy]

Great update thanks. Pleased I've ditched them now! 

[TomJ123]

Rugbypass have responded to me to advise they do not have the rights either so won't be showing it. 

back to square one... looking unlikely we will be able to watch it anywhere in Uk this year. 

[japitts]

With respect to Sky C/S, the decisions on who is awarded broadcast rights are made several pay grades above them, and they would only know so far as their briefings advise.

There have been a couple of recent broadcast rights agreements that have been concluded & announced, in less than a week before the event was shown. And one was SH rugby.

I wouldn't rule either Sky Sports or BT Sport out of the equation just yet. If there's no news by midweek, then all bets are off.

[TomJ123]

Thanks, hopefully we see something announced this week then. 

I'm refreshing my google search every morning!🤣

[D+Brewster]

Well, who knew the Bledisoe Cup, and the rest of the Rugby Championship was on Sky?

I've not seen it on any of the schedules, but put the tv on this morning to see Bledisloe 2 was just about to finish! On catch up if you missed it.

[trevforum]

SA v ARG Championship match live at 3.55pm on SS Action.