S4C is pleased to announce that it will continue to broadcast extensive terrestrial highlights of the Heineken Cup for a further five seasons.
The broadcaster has extended its deal with ERC, Heineken Cup tournament organisers, to provide free-to-air terrestrial highlights of rugby’s premier cup competition, up to and including the 2013/14 season.
S4C is currently the only UK terrestrial broadcaster showing highlights of the Heineken Cup. Its current deal runs until 2009-10, with the new agreement securing rights coverage for a further four years.
The Channel’s flagship Cwpan Heineken programme will show full highlights of all of the Welsh Regions’ matches in both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup as well as other group matches, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final.
Geraint Rowlands, S4C’s Content Editor, Sport said: “S4C is delighted to continue to provide viewers with free-to-air coverage of Europe’s premier rugby competition. Our Heineken Cup coverage is hugely appreciated by rugby followers and complements our live and highlights rugby coverage, which includes the Lions’ tour of South Africa, Wales’ international matches and the Magners League.”
Derek McGrath, ERC Chief Executive, added, “ S4C have proven to be an excellent broadcast partner to ERC over the past four seasons, offering top quality and comprehensive highlights packages from the Heineken Cup to the Welsh market.
“The extension of ERC’s relationship with S4C, and other recent broadcast agreements, clearly demonstrate that the Heineken Cup has evolved to become more a European tournament with a global appeal.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership over the next five seasons and developing the tournament’s profile further.”
S4C will also broadcast highlights of the Lions’ first test match against South Africa on Saturday, 20 June at 9.00pm. Viewers will be able to enjoy extended exclusive terrestrial highlights coverage of each game on Rygbi/Llewod 09 on the same evening as the match.
