News

Six Nations to remain free-to-air until 2029 in new BBC and ITV deal

Published

9 months ago

March 14, 2025

THE SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP will remain on free-to-air television in the UK until at least 2029 following a landmark new agreement between the BBC and ITV. The deal, announced today, ensures that rugby fans across the country can continue watching the prestigious tournament without needing a subscription service.

The agreement follows months of speculation that the tournament could move behind a paywall, with TNT Sports expressing interest in bidding for the rights. The BBC and ITV’s renewed partnership secures accessibility for the competition for the next four years, preserving the tradition of free-to-air coverage.

NEW BROADCASTING AGREEMENT

Under the new agreement, which runs from 2026 to 2029:

ITV will broadcast ten live matches each season, including all of England’s fixtures. These will be available across ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, with highlights and exclusive content shared via ITV Sport’s digital platforms.

BBC will air five live matches each season, covering Wales, Scotland, and Ireland’s home games. The broadcaster will also retain audio commentary rights for all Six Nations matches on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio, and online platforms.

BBC will continue to be the exclusive home of the Women’s Six Nations and U20 Six Nations.

REACTIONS FROM BROADCASTERS AND RUGBY OFFICIALS

The new agreement has been widely welcomed, with key figures from the BBC, ITV, and Six Nations Rugby celebrating the deal as a significant victory for fans and the sport’s growth.

BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhuanedd Richards described the news as “wonderful” for Welsh rugby supporters:

“I have always been a passionate advocate for keeping the Six Nations on free-to-air television, and I’m so pleased that the BBC, working with ITV, has ensured this can continue for the next four years. The viewing figures speak for themselves—hundreds of thousands tune in to watch these incredible tournaments, and we look forward to bringing the very best coverage to Welsh audiences.”

ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane highlighted the importance of keeping the tournament accessible:

“This is a monumental deal for rugby fans and ITV, ensuring the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship stays on free-to-air television. We are proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal, including England’s much-revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year.”

BBC Sport Director Alex Kay-Jelski added: “This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible. We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences, and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This is great news for rugby fans across Wales and the future of the game here in general.

“We have consistently advocated that the Six Nations should remain free-to-air so the majority of the Welsh population are able to enjoy and be inspired by this special tournament.

“There’s no question that rugby, and the Six Nations, are of significant cultural importance to Wales and we hope to see today’s good rugby news extend into the weekend and the Super Saturday match against England!”

WHY THIS DEAL MATTERS

The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the financial state of Welsh rugby and the accessibility of the sport to future generations. The deal ensures that audiences across the UK will continue to watch Six Nations rugby for free, protecting one of the sport’s most valuable showcases.

Recent pressure from politicians, including a campaign by the Liberal Democrats, had called for the Six Nations to be added to the UK’s “Category A” list of sporting events that must remain on free-to-air television. While the tournament is not yet protected by this status, the new agreement safeguards its availability for the next four years.

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, emphasised the significance of the deal: “The significance of these new and innovative free-to-air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated. By strengthening rugby’s relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations.”

“The commercial environment in which rugby is operating is extremely challenging, and the battle for audience attention has never been greater. But the Six Nations stands alongside the very greatest occasions in world sport, which is reflected by these partnerships.”

FUTURE OF RUGBY BROADCASTING

The deal also reaffirms the BBC and ITV’s commitment to rugby at a time when more sports are shifting toward pay-per-view models.

ITV’s sports rights portfolio includes other major events such as the Men’s FIFA World Cup 2026, Men’s Euros 2028, The FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.

BBC Sport’s portfolio includes the Olympic Games, Women’s Euros 2025, Women’s Super League, Wimbledon, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

The decision to keep the Six Nations free-to-air reflects the tournament’s significance to UK sports culture. The competition regularly attracts millions of viewers, and its continued accessibility ensures that rugby remains at the heart of the sporting calendar for fans across all backgrounds.

For now, supporters can breathe a sigh of relief—Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy will continue battling for Six Nations glory live on BBC and ITV, without the need for a subscription.

Crime

Drunken rampage sparked safety fears at Home Bargains

Published

3 minutes ago

December 16, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

Customer admitted becoming ‘violent and unpleasant’ when drinking

A COURT has heard how staff and customers at the Haverfordwest branch of Home Bargains feared for their safety when a customer went on a drunken rampage inside the store.

Staff member Christine Campion became aware of the growing concern on the afternoon of October 23 as Christian Teeley, 22, began hurling drunken abuse at shoppers.

“She heard people shouting ‘Get him out,’ and could see Christian Teeley swearing at random members of the public,” Crown Prosecutor Ryan Colamazza told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She asked him to leave the store, but he then started swearing at her and began walking towards her. She was concerned that he was going to be violent.”

Although Teeley did not physically assault the complainant, magistrates were told that his actions caused her to fear immediate violence. As a result, he was charged with common assault, as well as using threatening and abusive words and behaviour. He pleaded guilty to both offences.

During a subsequent police interview, Teeley admitted that he becomes “violent and unpleasant” when under the influence of alcohol.

The court was also told that the incident took place just three months after Teeley had received a conditional discharge for behaving aggressively while drunk towards staff at Withybush General Hospital. The latest offence therefore placed him in breach of that sentence.

Teeley, of Cherry Tree Close, Milford Haven, was sentenced to an 18-month Community Order, during which he must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to wear an alcohol monitoring tag.

He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Teen found asleep at wheel was more than twice drink-drive limit

Published

8 minutes ago

December 16, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

A NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD motorist was discovered to be more than twice the legal drink-drive limit after being found asleep at the wheel of his car in Tenby.

Police were called to Tudor Way, Tenby, on the night of Saturday (Nov 30) following reports from a member of the public about the standard of Miller Phillips’ driving. His Ford Focus had been seen mounting the pavement before coming to a standstill.

“He was attempting to start the vehicle, but it wasn’t going anywhere,” Crown Prosecutor Ryan Colamazza told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive, and further tests at the police station showed the 19-year-old had 80 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher said the consequences of the offence would stay with his client for a long time.

“The decision to drive that night is going to haunt him for a considerable length of time,” he said.

“He was asleep at the wheel when police arrived, and the vehicle had hardly moved at all. But he fully accepts that he drove it that very short distance.”

Phillips, of Hop Gardens Road, Sageston, pleaded guilty to the offence. He was disqualified from driving for 17 months, fined £400, and ordered to pay a £160 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Crime

Woman ‘terrified in own home’ after ex breaches court order

Published

15 minutes ago

December 16, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

Former partner jailed in suspended sentence after travelling from Birmingham to Milford Haven

A WOMAN has told a court she lives in fear after seeing her former partner standing outside her home, despite him being banned from approaching her under a two-year non-molestation order.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the woman believed her ex-partner, Michael Walden, had been living in Birmingham since the order was imposed in July.

However, on December 15, footage from her Ring doorbell showed Walden standing outside her property in Milford Haven while she was collecting her children from school.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said: “I was very scared. I’m terrified of being in my own home, and I was feeling scared about taking the children to school the following day.”

The non-molestation order prohibited Walden from attending the woman’s address or making any direct or indirect contact with her.

Crown Prosecutor Ryan Colamazza said the woman’s fear was heightened by her belief that Walden had been residing in Birmingham following his previous court appearance.

But defence solicitor Mike Kelleher stressed that no direct contact had taken place.

“He was not there to make any sort of trouble or threats,” he said. “He just wanted to ensure that his children were well.

“There was no direct contact with the woman – he was simply seen on the Ring doorbell.”

The court also heard that when Walden was arrested, police discovered a quantity of cannabis in his possession.

Walden pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and breaching the non-molestation order.

Sentencing him, the presiding magistrate said: “The fact that this was pre-meditated and that you travelled down to Pembrokeshire from Birmingham, knowing you were prohibited from attending the woman’s address, crosses the custody threshold.”

Walden was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 court surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order was also imposed for the cannabis.