S4C has confirmed that the 6 Nations Championship will continue to be broadcast on the channel in Welsh from next year onwards.
The news comes after the BBC and ITV secured rights jointly to ensure that tournament coverage remains on terrestrial free-to-air TV in a six year deal.
It was confirmed that the championship games which are broadcast by the BBC will also be broadcast in Welsh on S4C. Any further rights will be a matter for negotiations.
S4C's Chief Executive Ian Jones said:
"It's good news for audiences in Wales that the 6 Nations Championship will continue to be shown live on free-to-air TV, with Welsh language coverage on S4C.
"We're delighted to be able to continue to work with BBC Cymru Wales whose fantastic team will produce coverage for S4C.
"At S4C we're always interested in exploring new and different ways of bringing top level sport to our audiences, and we're delighted to be a part of this deal which secures Welsh language free-to-air coverage on the channel for the coming years."
2015 is a big year for rugby on S4C as the channel prepares to broadcast live coverage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in the autumn.
Starting with the opening match between England and Fiji on 18 September, S4C will broadcast a total of nine live games during the competition including all of Wales' matches. And whatever Wales' fortunes during the competition, S4C will broadcast one live match in the quarter finals, one semi final, the bronze match and the final.
Rugby is at the heart of the S4C television service. Our flagship programmes include Clwb Rygbi and Clwb Rygbi Rhyngwladol. S4C broadcasts live action and highlights at all levels, from colleges rugby, women’s rugby and the Welsh Premier League to the Guinness Pro 12 and the European Champions’ Cup and European Challenge Cup. S4C also has regular coverage of the French Top 14 and has broadcast a number of British and Irish Lions test series.
