The Rugby Broadcast Report Issue 4: TV Guide April 25-27
Never miss a game
Welcome to Issue 4 of The Rugby Broadcast Report and a massive thank you to everyone who read, shared and provided feedback on my recent interview with Premier Sports CEO Richard Sweeney. It has been the most popular article / newsletter to date. Stay tuned for similar content throughout the year and if you have any ideas on what you’d like to see, feel free to reach out.
Let's get straight into it. There are 36 televised games to choose from this weekend, with action from Super Rugby, URC, Premiership, Top 14, League One, Women’s 6 Nations, Rugby Europe Conference, both AIL finals, MLR, Scottish Premiership (final) and an international friendly all to look forward to.
Must watch fixtures
Super Rugby: Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua
(Saturday, 5:35am, Sky Sports Action / NOW)
After picking up their second win of the season last week, the Drua will be hoping to build on that momentum although Ardie Savea's return might be enough for Pasifika to get the win.
Women’s Six Nations: England v France
(Saturday, 4:45pm, BBC 2 / iPlayer / RTÉ Player)
In this Grand Slam decider England are aiming for their seventh consecutive title but France will look to end England’s impressive winning streak in preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
URC: Ulster v Sharks
(Saturday, 7:35pm, BBC 2 NI / Premier Sports 2 / RTÉ 2 / NOW / URC TV)
Ulster host the Sharks in a crucial URC Round 16 match as the race to the top 8 continues. Richie Murphy’s Ulster side are vying for a playoff position against a Sharks team buoyed by their one-point win away to Edinburgh last week.
Premiership: Sale Sharks v Saracens
(Friday, 7:45pm, TNT Sports 1 / Discovery+ / NOW)
Both teams are level on points either side of the top four. Sharks head into this fixture in excellent form after three consecutive wins.
Top 14: Bordeaux v La Rochelle
(Saturday, 8:05pm, Premier Sports Rugby Only)
Bordeaux are currently second in the Top 14 with 69 points from 21 games and have been formidable at home this season, winning 9 of their 10 home league games. Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle side are up against it.
Fixture of the weekend (admittedly biased)
The Stormers host Benetton at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town at 5:15pm on Saturday (Premier Sports 1 / URC TV) and both teams are competing for playoff positions in the tightest ever URC race to the playoffs. The Stormers currently sit 8th with 40 points, while Benetton are just ahead in 5th with 41 points. The outcome of this match could significantly influence the playoff landscape.
Quote of the week
These figures have an opportunity to act as the bridge between linear television and digital media, something which is made all-the-more important given the adoption of two-screen experiences.
This week’s quote of the week is courtesy of Matt Millin-Brawn, who is the director of strategy at social media agency Coolr. Writing in Broadcast, he explains how certain rugby media outlets have used social media influencers such as Squidge Rugby and Ruckstar Lizzie in an effort to attract viewers.
Millin-Brawn discussed how ITV's decision to feature influencers like Squidge Rugby, Ruckstar Lizzie and Rugby Nause in the Gallagher Premiership Unleashed highlights show exemplifies this approach. These influencers, with substantial followings on YouTube and TikTok, bring authenticity and relatability to the sport, engaging audiences who might not connect with traditional punditry. Their involvement demonstrates how influencers can bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and digital media, offering a more engaging and accessible viewing experience.
Rugby media rights news
Top 14, URC and EPCR viewing figures are up on Premiers Sports, as revealed in the interview with Premier Sports CEO Richard Sweeney.
The Rugby Championship U20 kicks off in May and while Sky hold the rights, it is unclear if any games will be shown this year as the broadcaster chose not to broadcast the tournament last year.
According to The Daily Mail, Premiership Rugby has drawn up plans to potentially show Thursday night fixtures next season.
TV5MONDE’s free Top 14 coverage starts this weekend with Toulouse v Castres. Full story coming soon.
TV Guide April 25-27
Friday April 25
8:05am – Chiefs v Force (Super Rugby Pacific) – Sky Sports Action / NOW
10:35am – Reds v Blues (Super Rugby Pacific) – Sky Sports Action / NOW
7:35pm – Glasgow v Bulls (URC) – Premier Sports 2 / NOW / URC TV
7:35pm – Cardiff v Munster (URC) – BBC 2 Wales / Premier Sports Rugby / iPlayer / TG4 / Premier Sports 1 / NOW / URC TV
7:35pm – Zebre v Edinburgh (URC) – Premier Sports 1 / URC TV Only
7:45pm – Sale v Saracens (Premiership) – TNT Sports 1 / Discovery+ / NOW
Saturday April 26
5:35am – Moana Pasifika v Drua (Super Rugby Pacific) – Sky Sports Action / NOW
8:05am – Highlanders v Crusaders (Super Rugby Pacific) – Sky Sports Mix / NOW
10:35am – Brumbies v Hurricanes (Super Rugby Pacific) – Sky Sports Action / NOW
1:00pm – Slovenia v Bosnia & Herzegovina (Rugby Europe Conference) – RugbyEurope TV
1:00pm – Latvia v Finland (Rugby Europe Conference) – RugbyEurope TV
1:30pm – Toulouse v Castres (Top 14) – Premier Sports Rugby / TV5MONDE
2:30pm – Scotland v Ireland (Women’s Six Nations) – BBC Scotland / iPlayer / Virgin Media 1
3:00pm – Ospreys v Dragons (URC) – Premier Sports 1 / URC TV Only in ROI
3:00pm – Bath v Newcastle (Premiership) – TNT Sports Extra / Discovery+
3:00pm – Lions v Connacht (URC) – Premier Sports 2 / TG4 / NOW / URC TV
3:05pm – Leicester v Harlequins (Premiership) – TNT Sports 1 / Discovery+ / NOW
3:30pm – Vannes v Toulon (Top 14) – Premier Sports Rugby / Unavailable live in ROI
4:30pm – Ayr v Watsonians (Scottish Premiership Final) – BBC ALBA / iPlayer / YouTube
4:45pm – England v France (Women’s Six Nations) – BBC 2 / iPlayer / RTÉ Player
5:15pm – Stormers v Benetton (URC) – Premier Sports 1 / URC TV
5:15pm – Scarlets v Leinster (URC) – S4C / Premier Sports 2 / RTÉ 2 / NOW / URC TV
5:30pm – Northampton v Bristol (Premiership) – TNT Sports 1 / Discovery+ / NOW
7:35pm – Ulster v Sharks (URC) – BBC 2 NI / Premier Sports 2 / RTÉ 2 / NOW / URC TV
8:05pm – Bordeaux v La Rochelle (Top 14) – Premier Sports Rugby / Unavailable live in ROI
11:00pm – RFC LA v San Diego Legion (MLR) – The Rugby Network
Sunday April 27
1:00am – SaberCats v Old Glory (MLR) – The Rugby Network
1:30am – USA Women v Japan Women (International Friendly) – RugbyPass TV
2:00am – Utah Warriors v Chicago Hounds (MLR) – The Rugby Network
6:30am – Verblitz v Sungoliath (League One) – Premier Sports Rugby / Unavailable live in ROI
11:30am – Italy v Wales (Women’s Six Nations) – BBC 1 Wales / iPlayer / RTÉ Player
1:30pm – Railway Union v UL Bohemians (Women’s AIL Final) – TG4 Player / TG4
3:00pm – Gloucester v Exeter (Premiership) – TNT Sports 1 / Discovery+ / NOW
4:00pm – Cork Constitution v Clontarf (Men’s AIL Final) – TG4 Player / TG4 /
8:05pm – Racing 92 v Stade Francais (Top 14) – Premier Sports 2 / NOW
9:00pm – NOLA Gold v Seawolves (MLR) – Premier Sports Rugby