Talks are under way for seven matches from the Gallagher Premiership to be shown on free-to-air television next season, in a continued boost for rugby union’s coverage in the UK.
The negotiations were revealed on Thursday after Premiership Rugby and Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed they have extended their partnership for what is understood to be a further two seasons, with league matches and the Premiership Rugby Cup continuing to be broadcast by TNT Sports, previously known as BT Sport.
ITV are the current broadcaster for free-to-air Premiership Rugby, showing seven games throughout the season with one of those matches being the Premiership final held at Twickenham at the end of the season.
In another significant change, every match from the Premiership will be broadcast by TNT and available on the discovery+ app. TNT has traditionally shown three matches per weekend while the other games have been available to watch when purchased through Premiership Rugby’s PRTV website, with a single match costing £5.99 and a season pass priced at £129.99.
How the move by TNT to broadcast every match will affect the PRTV service is unclear.
TNT will now broadcast all 93 Premiership matches along with select games from the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Simon Massie-Taylor, Premiership Rugby’s chief executive officer, said: “This first season alongside TNT Sports has already produced some unmissable drama so we are delighted to be showcasing every single Gallagher Premiership Rugby game on the same platform from 2024-25.
“Millions of fans have helped break viewership records this year as we work together to innovate and bring the game to new audiences.”
Telegraph Sport reported in October that TNT was looking to reduce the amount paid to Premiership Rugby following the reduction of clubs in the Premiership from 13 to 10 after Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish went into administration, with the previous deal worth a reported £110 million.
That figure is dwarfed by the latest TV deal in France between the Top 14 and Canal+, which last purchased the domestic rights for €454 million (£389 million) on a four-year deal until the end of the 2026-27 season.
