30 July 2014

Rugby fans in Wales will enjoy free-to-air Guinness Pro12 matches in the new season after BBC Wales and S4C announced a new four-year rights deal.

The broadcasters will share fixtures across the season, ensuring that fans the length and breadth of Wales can access live action from the regions on terrestrial television. BBC Wales will show Friday night matches on Scrum V Live, with S4C covering Sunday afternoon fixtures on Clwb Rygbi.

The Pro12 is set to become even fiercer next year with end-of-season results deciding sought-after places in the Rugby Champions Cup.

“We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with BBC Wales and S4C,” said John Feehan, Chief Executive of Pro12 Rugby. “And with Guinness, our new sponsor, on board, we look forward to growing our competition with all our broadcasters and clubs attracting larger audiences and more fans.”

“The new qualification rules for Europe will provide real added spice from next season, making the Pro12 competition ‘must-see TV’ for Welsh rugby fans,” said BBC Wales Director Rhodri Talfan Davies. “We’ve struck a terrific deal with Celtic Rugby that ensures every fan in Wales has the very best view of the action.”

“I’m very proud that S4C has once again ensured that Welsh regional rugby is available to view on free-to-air TV. Live Guinness Pro12 action will be one of the cornerstones of Clwb - S4C’s new Sunday afternoon sports service,” said S4C Chief Executive Ian Jones. “By working together, S4C and BBC Cymru Wales have succeeded in ensuring that regional rugby remains available to everyone in Wales.”

Ends

Issued jointly by BBC Cymru Wales Communications and S4C Communications

29.07.14

For more information please contact Stephen Morgan at BBC Wales Communications on 029 2032 2026 / 07912 583461 / stephen.morgan@bbc.co.uk or Glesni Haf Jones at S4C Communications 029 2074 1422 / glesni.jones@s4c.co.uk

Notes to editors

BBC Wales’ Scrum V Live and S4C’s Clwb Rygbi will each broadcast one game per round of the competition for matches 1-22. Sky Sports will also be broadcasting the competition on Saturdays.

If Welsh teams qualify for the Semi-final and Final, the rights to those matches are shared between the broadcasters.

A press picture is available at:

https://myshare.box.com/shared/static/ypbcvaf3nxmp451w84wi.jpg

Caption: Jon Davis, Pro12 Rugby; Ian Jones, S4C Chief Executive; Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director BBC Cymru Wales