The Six Nations is currently broadcast on the BBC and ITV. However, BBC sports director Barbara Slater admitted last month that the broadcaster faced a battle to retain rights to the tournament.
“The Six Nations, like everything else, we will have to evaluate affordability at that time,” she said. “Because it is very difficult for the BBC, on this income trajectory, to continue to provide everything we have. But that is not a decision to be made at this moment in time.”
All domestic international cricket has been broadcast on Sky since 2006, the year after Channel 4’s memorable Ashes series. Sky has a deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board that runs until the end of 2028 worth more than £220m a year.
Since 2020, the ECB has struck a deal with the BBC to broadcast two men’s and women’s T20 internationals live, as well as eight live days of men’s and women’s 100 competitions. This deal expires at the end of next summer, and will be put out for tender early next year.
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson told the PA: “Our aim is to ensure events of national interest are broadcast free of charge wherever possible, while protecting competition organizers’ ability to raise income from selling broadcast rights for investment in their sports,” she said.
“We believe the current list strikes an appropriate balance, with protection for major Test cricket matches played in England, and Six Nations Championship matches involving home countries. We therefore have no plans to amend the system.”