11 months ago
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THE BBC are set to screen live rugby league on Saturday nights for the first time after reportedly landing a bumper three-year deal.
The national broadcaster even pipped Channel 4 to the rights in a major boost.
GettyAnd it will see the Beeb broadcast Super League matches on free-to-air TV from as early as next month.
According to the Daily Mail, the BBC can show at least 12 matches per season.
They are expected to be put on BBC Two.
The BBC’s matches will go alongside Sky Sports’ coverage of the top tier of rugby league.
From the upcoming 2024 season, Sky will show every Super League game with six fixtures per matchday.
That includes the mouthwatering curtain raiser on February 15 which sees Hull FC take on Hull KR.
The BBC are also expected to make some extra Super League matches available on BBC iPlayer, too.
And they will also get the rights to broadcast two end-of-season play-off matches and the World Club Challenge.
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This year, 2023 Super League champs Wigan Warriors face their Australian counterparts, NRL winners Penrith Panthers on February 24.
The BBC already have a deal to show one live Challenge Cup match per round.
That contract currently expires at the end of this year but the report adds negotiations are underway to extend it until 2026 – especially after outbidding Channel 4 to the Super League matches.
Live sport on the BBC has dwindled in recent years.
Now, the main events shown live on their two terrestrial TV channels are the Olympics and major international football tournaments, such as this summer’s Euros.
The BBC also have some FA Cup matches – plus Match of the Day for Premier League highlights – as well as some snooker, Wimbledon tennis, the Six Nations and a limited selection of other sports including cycling, athletics and The Hundred cricket.
PA
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