TG4 IS SET to become the exclusive free-to-air broadcaster of the URC in the Republic of Ireland from next season.
The Irish language broadcaster has agreed a new TV deal with the URC to continue it’s coverage until 2029, with Premier Sports also on board for four more years.
The league is currently shown free-to-air on both TG4 and RTÉ in Ireland, with URC organisers agreeing a four-year deal with the two broadcasters back in 2021.
However the new TV deal sees RTÉ drop out, with TG4 becoming the sole free-to-air destination for live URC coverage in the Republic.
🚨 Fógra / Announcement 🚨
Craobhchomórtas Rugbaí Aontaithe ar fáil @TG4TV go dtí 2029 😍
Premier Sports will also continue to hold broadcast rights in Ireland for the next four seasons.
Premier Sports will show every URC game featuring Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht live, and Premier Sports Ireland will exclusively host one game per week featuring the Irish provinces (totalling 21 exclusive games each season).
Six Irish interpro derbies will be also live and exclusive on Premier Sports Ireland every season.
Four. More. Years. 🎙️🚨
Premier Sports will continue to broadcast every live game from the @URCOfficial until at least 2029 🏉🏆
All the best games, stars, and pundits will keep coming your way with our coverage of one of the world's best leagues 📺💻📱 pic.twitter.com/laqxuwn0q6
TG4′s new rights agreement includes a minimum of 26 games, plus selected access to the quarter-finals and semi-finals until 2029.
TG4 will broadcast this season’s URC final and will have live coverage of the 2027 and 2029 URC finals, while the 2026 and 2028 deciders will be live exclusively on Premier Sports.
TG4 Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “TG4 is very pleased to continue showcasing the BKT URC and to provide free-to-air coverage of these important and exciting rugby matches. We are proud to be the exclusive free-to-air partner of the BKT URC in Ireland and to extend our long-standing commitment to the league.
“Rugby holds a central place in TG4’s sports coverage, and we look forward to bringing even more thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments to audiences across the island over the coming seasons.”
Ryle Nugent, CEO of Premier Sports Ireland said: ”This is a significant moment in the growth and development of Premier Sports in Ireland. Adding an exclusive BKT URC match each round alongside our continued live coverage of every Irish provincial BKT URC game live and all the play-off games and final for the next four seasons makes Premier Sports the home for the entirety of this terrific league.
“We’re a compelling offer for Irish sports fans with full exclusive coverage of the Investec Champions Cup next season making us the home of club rugby – as well as exclusive live Premier League matches on Saturday’s, Uefa Champions League matches on Tuesday nights and a host of more live sport.”
Updated at 12.06pm to include new Premier Sports deal.
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TG4 to become only place to watch URC for free in Ireland
LAST UPDATE | 17 Apr
TG4 IS SET to become the exclusive free-to-air broadcaster of the URC in the Republic of Ireland from next season.
The Irish language broadcaster has agreed a new TV deal with the URC to continue it’s coverage until 2029, with Premier Sports also on board for four more years.
The league is currently shown free-to-air on both TG4 and RTÉ in Ireland, with URC organisers agreeing a four-year deal with the two broadcasters back in 2021.
However the new TV deal sees RTÉ drop out, with TG4 becoming the sole free-to-air destination for live URC coverage in the Republic.
Premier Sports will also continue to hold broadcast rights in Ireland for the next four seasons.
Premier Sports will show every URC game featuring Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht live, and Premier Sports Ireland will exclusively host one game per week featuring the Irish provinces (totalling 21 exclusive games each season).
Six Irish interpro derbies will be also live and exclusive on Premier Sports Ireland every season.
TG4′s new rights agreement includes a minimum of 26 games, plus selected access to the quarter-finals and semi-finals until 2029.
TG4 will broadcast this season’s URC final and will have live coverage of the 2027 and 2029 URC finals, while the 2026 and 2028 deciders will be live exclusively on Premier Sports.
TG4 Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “TG4 is very pleased to continue showcasing the BKT URC and to provide free-to-air coverage of these important and exciting rugby matches. We are proud to be the exclusive free-to-air partner of the BKT URC in Ireland and to extend our long-standing commitment to the league.
“Rugby holds a central place in TG4’s sports coverage, and we look forward to bringing even more thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments to audiences across the island over the coming seasons.”
Ryle Nugent, CEO of Premier Sports Ireland said: ”This is a significant moment in the growth and development of Premier Sports in Ireland. Adding an exclusive BKT URC match each round alongside our continued live coverage of every Irish provincial BKT URC game live and all the play-off games and final for the next four seasons makes Premier Sports the home for the entirety of this terrific league.
“We’re a compelling offer for Irish sports fans with full exclusive coverage of the Investec Champions Cup next season making us the home of club rugby – as well as exclusive live Premier League matches on Saturday’s, Uefa Champions League matches on Tuesday nights and a host of more live sport.”
Updated at 12.06pm to include new Premier Sports deal.
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