Sky in talks to buy RaboPro12 rights from 2014?

[psychic duck]

Sky is looking for ways to fill the hole left by the loss of Aviva Premiership matches to BT Vision from next season.

It has already been hoovering up international rights this year, adding Ireland, France and Italy to their autumn international package next year along with England, but that only amounts to a month of action.

Sky is in talks with the Celtic unions about securing the exclusive rights to the RaboDirect Pro 12, which are up for tender for the 2014-15 season onwards. As well as injecting money into the tournament, Sky could also help in its projection, helping cut the lag with the Premiership.

Sorting out the kick-off times would be a start. Friday and Saturday nights and the occasional Sunday have not proved popular in Wales where the average crowd is around 8,000.

Just a rumour going around ...

 

[dullonien]

Nooooooooo. Sky + Spy Sports is too much to fork out for.

I'm not sure how it would work with S4C either. Without the Pro12, S4C would collapse, and I'm not sure that would be allowed to happen.

 

[Peat]

No Friday night Ulster games + no nigh-universal TV coverage = me no likey.

That said, I can see potential benefits for the competition...

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Not sure what to make of this. If every match is available on the red button like Heineken Cup or Champions League coverage, it's a good thing. If it's minimal coverage like the Premiership it's a bad thing. I'd definitely hope for highlights or deferred coverage on terrestrial TV and the Pro 12 website.

On a side note, RTE need a kick up the arse for their **** poor coverage of the league. They constantly talk it down and don't even bother to show a load of games during the 6 Nations. Setanta's coverage of the league was far better but it didn't have the reach of RTE.

 

[profitius]

Its going to happen. Sky need more rugby union after losing the AP. The question now is will it remain on all channels including sky or the more likely scenario, will sky seek exclusivity. If it is only on sky at least the teams will get a cash boost.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads this is far more than a rumour and talks have already began. I think it great as Sky can really raise profile and inject money. And I think the revamp which s also discussed will make this alot more competitive

 

[j'nuh]

At the min, Premiership Rugby get to put up full matches of every single game on their website a few hours after the game has finished. For the non-televised Glos games, I just ignore rugby news for hours after a Gloucester game and watch it that way. (Get to even skip commercial breaks and stoppages if you want.) Hopefully a similar deal could be done with the Rabo.

 

[profitius]

Lads this is far more than a rumour and talks have already began. I think it great as Sky can really raise profile and inject money. And I think the revamp which s also discussed will make this alot more competitive

What kind of revamp are they talking about MM?

 

[j_remos]

If they treat the Rabo like they do the Prem then expect only a few matches to be shown. And only a few clubs will be focused on. So for Leinster, Munster and Ospreys (for example) it'll be great but unless they are obliged to three wont be much effort spent elsewhere.

If it does happen i hope you get some decent pundits though as Skys are **** poor.

Italian teams might get a few home matches though if they fancy a nice jolly.

I can see The Unions liking the idea but not sure if the money will flow down or not.


Who knows though, Sky have a lot of clout, it might work out well. Glad they are sodding off from the Prem though.

 

[munstermuffin]

What kind of revamp are they talking about MM?

Qualification for HEC
Prize money based on position
Top 6 for playoffs similar to Top14
Few others too

 

[psychic duck]

If it does happen i hope you get some decent pundits though as Skys are **** poor.

Apart from Dewi Morris, they are not really that bad. Better than BBC pundits.

 

[Tribesmen-ce-123]

If they could include in the revamp a top 6 place finish requirement for a HC place, it would be great for both for both the strength of the league and the HC. Teams would have far more incentive to take the league seriously and perform well, it would filter out of any of the potential dead weight in the competition, e.g the likes of Zebre/Aironi and several others who have been getting what many would call undeserved places in the competition. Im sure the English and French clubs would be happy with that to, seeing as they don't like things the way they are.

Also I really hope that the televising of the main games wouldn't be some half assed coverage of only the top teams and games. Id like to see almost complete coverage of the majority of the leagues games in some way or another.

 

[Tony Manx]

Afraid they have lost me as a subscriber as they ony have the Lions and the H Cup and the money per month for that is not worth it.....the Rabo would not be enough to change my mind!

 

[munstermuffin]

Afraid they have lost me as a subscriber as they ony have the Lions and the H Cup and the money per month for that is not worth it.....the Rabo would not be enough to change my mind!

Also in process of getting all home nations Autumn Internationals as well as Summer tours.

 

[Tony Manx]

Also in process of getting all home nations Autumn Internationals as well as Summer tours.

As quid pro quo for giving the BBC some AP league games and summer tours, presumably they will then share the Autumn Matches

 

[Jockstap]

Done deal.

RaboDirect Pro12 games to be shown on Sky Sports from 2014

Sky Sports will show even more live European club rugby union, thanks to a new four year deal to screen the RaboDirect PRO12, beginning in the 2014/15 season.
For the first time Sky Sports will show 30 live matches, plus the semi-finals and final from the tournament, strengthening its unrivalled rights portfolio across six channels.
The RaboDirect PRO12 features the top teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy, including Europe's current number one ranked side Leinster, defending champions Ospreys and current leaders Ulster.
Sky Sports viewers will be able to enjoy weekly coverage on TV, PC and on the move via mobile and tablet devices.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: "We know European rugby is hugely popular with our viewers and this deal provides for even more fantastic action. From next year, the RaboDirect PRO12 will complement our Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup coverage and provide viewers with an unrivalled diet of rugby union.
"Sky Sports remains the home of televised rugby union, offering an unprecedented schedule from the international, European and domestic game. Our coverage is innovative and our expert analysis respected. This agreement is even more good news for rugby fans with Sky Sports."
John Feehan, Chief Executive of RaboDirect PRO12, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sky Sports to the RaboDirect PRO12 family. Our competition is growing from strength to strength and we feel this partnership with Sky Sports will allow us to extend the reach of the RaboDirect PRO12 in the UK and Ireland."
Latest

This announcement follows a series of major rugby rights deals for Sky Sports, including the exclusive live rights to The British & Irish Lions tour 2013, four-year deals to show Ireland, France and Italy Autumn Internationals from 2014 and a long term European rugby deal with the ERC.
The RaboDirect PRO12 complements the existing schedule of live European rugby union on Sky Sports featuring the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup, plus the domestic offering with the RFU Championship and LV=Cup. Added to that is a strong portfolio of international rugby with the British & Irish Lions tour 2013, QBE Internationals, England women's matches, IRB Sevens World Series, Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship.
Sky Sports viewers can continue to follow the matches whether at home or on the move with Sky Go, available on a range of mobile devices.
The Sky Sports rugby union team includes some of the biggest names in the sport with over 550 caps between them. Expert analysis comes from Will Greenwood, Dewi Morris, Paul Wallace, Ieuan Evans, Scott Quinnell, Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Lynagh and Scott Hastings. Coverage throughout the season is presented by Alex Payne and James Gemmell, with commentary from Stuart Barnes, Miles Harrison, Mark Robson and Johnnie Hammond.
There is also a comprehensive range of support programming, which includes the Rugby Club, plus the latest rugby union news and results available every day on skysports.com and Sky Sports News HD.


http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-uni...o12-games-to-be-shown-on-Sky-Sports-from-2014

 

[dullonien]

Is there any news if this is exclusive rights. I'm wondering about S4C, because rugby is one of their biggest draws.

 

[SelimNiai]

Is there any news if this is exclusive rights. I'm wondering about S4C, because rugby is one of their biggest draws.

Aren't they protected under something as theyre not in English? I could be wrong

 

[dullonien]

Aren't they protected under something as theyre not in English? I could be wrong

Yeah, I had a feeling that was the case as well. But I couldn't fully remember.

 

[big ginger 8]

Yeah matches will still be shown on other channels.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/sky-sports-signs-deal-show-3316079

I'm not sure if sky get first dibs on specific matches though.

Should be a good thing overall more money for the unions and one thing sky can definitely do is hype.