The BBC's coverage of live sport has been dealt another blow with the news that the Rugby League World Cup is coming off free-to-air TV.
The most recent edition in 2022 was covered live by the Beeb but it's all change this time around. This year's edition was originally slated for 2025, only for host nation France to pull out. It will instead be played in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the first match set for October 15.
That opener won't be shown on the BBC, though, and nor will any of the other matches. Premier Sports is the new host, meaning fans will have to pay for a subscription in order to take in the action.
It isn't the first time they have shown the tournament - they held the rights in 2013 and 2017 - but it shows the return to free-to-air television was a short-lived one. It has been reported that the BBC did not even bid for the rights on this occasion Tournament organisers International Rugby League confirmed the agreement, which relates to UK and Ireland coverage, on Tuesday. Premier Sports subscriptions begin at £12.99 per month in the UK.
The news comes after the BBC relinquished rights to a number of other major events in recent years. These include the Commonwealth Games, which aired on TNT Sports this summer, while the Boat Race was picked up by Channel 4.
Full story HERE
The most recent edition in 2022 was covered live by the Beeb but it's all change this time around. This year's edition was originally slated for 2025, only for host nation France to pull out. It will instead be played in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the first match set for October 15.
That opener won't be shown on the BBC, though, and nor will any of the other matches. Premier Sports is the new host, meaning fans will have to pay for a subscription in order to take in the action.
It isn't the first time they have shown the tournament - they held the rights in 2013 and 2017 - but it shows the return to free-to-air television was a short-lived one. It has been reported that the BBC did not even bid for the rights on this occasion Tournament organisers International Rugby League confirmed the agreement, which relates to UK and Ireland coverage, on Tuesday. Premier Sports subscriptions begin at £12.99 per month in the UK.
The news comes after the BBC relinquished rights to a number of other major events in recent years. These include the Commonwealth Games, which aired on TNT Sports this summer, while the Boat Race was picked up by Channel 4.
Full story HERE
