If you thought the World Cup without RTÉ's tried and tested coverage was strange then you had better get used to the new world order. TV3 certainly shook things up when they gazumped the state broadcaster for the rights to the World Cup and now they have delivered an even more surprising announcement.
When RTÉ's current deal expires ahead of the 2018 championship, TV3 will take over the Irish rights for the Six Nations on a four year deal.
This must have been a difficult tweet for RTÉ Rugby to send.
TV3 has secured the rights to the Six Nations Championship for a period of four years from 2018 until 2021.
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 11, 2015
John Feehan, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, confirmed the deal in a statement today.
We are delighted to be working with TV3 on developing the interest in the Championship and to ultimately grow this wonderful competition in Ireland. TV3’s coverage of Rugby World Cup was very successful and we believe that they will inject new and exciting ideas in the broadcasting of the Six Nations Championship.
In what is certainly a red letter day for TV3 and their sports coverage, Niall Cogley, Director of Broadcasting at TV3, was understandably delighted with the deal.
In the last two months TV3 has been able to demonstrate its credentials as Ireland's National Commercial Broadcaster with a refreshing and comprehensive presentation of all 48 games in the Rugby World Cup.
We are gratified that the Six Nations Unions and Federations and their Executive team were sufficiently impressed by our recent work. We very much look forward to presenting Rugby's Greatest Championship into the foreseeable future and making TV3 the home of Irish Rugby.
So there it is. It's a few years away yet but it'll certainly be a change of pace when it does come around in 2018. Paul O'Connell for pundit in chief anyone?
