Six Nations - BBC + ITV to share

Well any deal that keeps a tournament like the 6 Nations free to air has to be a good thing. It's good to see FTA broadcasters working together in this way in the interests of the viewer.

I think we know now where some of the money ITV were paying for the Champions League has gone

I think the BBC Scotland and Wales will be very happy with that deal

This is how the games pan out in 2016 then :

06/02/16 - France v Italy (BBC)
06/02/16 - Scotland v England (BBC)
07/02/16 - Ireland v Wales (ITV)

13/02/16 - France v Ireland (BBC)
13/02/16 - Wales v Scotland (BBC)
14/02/16 - Italy v England (ITV)

26/02/16 - Wales v France (BBC)
27/02/16 - Italy v Scotland (ITV)
27/02/16 - England v Ireland (ITV)

12/03/16 - Ireland v Italy (ITV)
12/03/16 - England v Wales (ITV)
13/03/16 - Scotland v France (BBC)

19/03/16 - Wales v Italy (BBC)
19/03/16 - Ireland v Scotland (ITV)
19/03/16 - France v England (BBC)

BBC - 8 games ITV - 7 games (the 8:7 ratio to be reversed in 2017)

Two questions. Firstly, can the BBC show highlights of ITV's matches the following day, and vice versa?

Secondly, is this an indication of a potential joint bid that World Rugby might receive for the 2019 and 2023 Rugby Union world cups? Although only the RWC Final is on the protected list, I wonder if Sky might want the tournament, only to find the BBC and ITV going in together again?

The broadcaster that does not broadcast the last match of an RBS 6 Nations weekend will transmit a Sunday highlights show rounding up all the action from the weekend.

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/28542.php#LBkJTLgIwtEmy0KG.97

Not surprised it's starting in 2016. This paves the way for John Inverdale to effectively leave BBC Television I reckon.

But as freelance he doesn't need to leave anywhere does he ? He can just pick the roles he wants with any broadcaster.

It will be interesting to see if there is any sharing of pundits, presenters & commentary teams though between BBC & ITV under this deal.

Delighted to see a 5 year deal with terrestrial broadcasters. Great stuff IMHO

Would be even better if this was the start of more co-operation between the terrestrial broadcasters in terms of sports rights.

Well that's exactly my point if ITV want him for their six nations it'll effectively mean he leaves BBC screens.

Agree - he is clearly out of favour at the BBC and they could cover their rights now with Gabby and Jason, with John and one of their Premiership presenters doing the coverage for ITV.

Great deal though and it will be great to have a new mix of pundits - I've found the BBC punditry quite dull in recent years. I guess logistically the only thing that might need to happen is ensuring a decent stagger between kick-off times so one channel can go off air before the other begins their build up.