Rugby League World Cup to be subscription-only in UK, prompts Nandy's plea
UKPulse Sport Desk
This autumn's Rugby League World Cup will be shown exclusively on subscription TV in the UK, leading Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to urge a deal for free-to-air coverage.
- Premier Sports has secured exclusive rights for the Rugby League World Cup in the UK and Ireland.
- The BBC will not bid for the rights, ending a long-standing tradition of free-to-air coverage.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has called for a deal to show at least some matches on free-to-air television.
This autumn's Rugby League World Cup will be shown exclusively on subscription television in the United Kingdom, after Premier Sports acquired the rights. This marks a change from previous tournaments, as the BBC confirmed it would not bid for the rights to the event, which is set to be held in Australia.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has urged administrators to strike a deal to allow the tournament to be shown on free-to-air broadcast. Nandy, a fan of the sport, stated she shares the disappointment of fans that the World Cup will not be on free-to-air television.
She has pleaded with the International Rugby League (IRL) to secure a deal that would see at least some matches, potentially England's games, broadcast on free-to-air television. The 2022 World Cup, which was held in England, saw record TV audiences, with the BBC showing every match live.
Why this matters: The decision means rugby league fans in the UK will need to pay to watch the World Cup, potentially impacting audience numbers compared to previous free-to-air broadcasts.
What this means for you: You will need a Premier Sports subscription to watch the Rugby League World Cup in the UK and Ireland this autumn.