Six Nations games could leave BBC & ITV after England rugby boss admits Autumn Nations Cup on Amazon went ‘really well’
RFU boss Bill Sweeney has opened the door to taking some of the Six Nations off free-to-air TV and jumping back in bed with Amazon.
The current deal – shared between ITV and BBC – runs out in 2022 and Sweeney reckons some of the games could go behind a paywall after that.
Amazon broadcast all of the Autumn Nations Cup games recently and the RFU chief executive says the internet giants were chuffed with the matches and all parties will chat after Christmas.
He said: “The Amazon situation has gone really well and they are very happy after the end of the Autumn Nations Cup in terms of what they were looking for ahead of Christmas.
It has gone very well for them and they see ways it can better as well.
“We would hope this will result in further conversations with them.
“You’ve got that balance commercial value, and pay TV can pay more, against game being available to as many eyeballs as possible.
"The interesting thing with Amazon is that because they are not a pure behind-a-paywall channel they are a lot more relaxed about a hybrid, a mix of terrestrial and pay.
"These will be conversations that will be ongoing into the New Year.”
Sweeney also revealed the union might get in touch with former hooker Steve Thompson – diagnosed with early onset dementia – to discuss the current brain damage crisis.
He added: “We certainly wouldn’t rule that out. Players are getting more and more involved in conversations about all facets of the game.
"It is the players that make the game and why wouldn’t you have player involved in that.”
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Meanwhile the Rugby World Cup draw takes place on Monday in France with Eddie Jones’ England one of four top seeds alongside New Zealand, South Africa and Wales.
A nightmare scenario would see England drawn with either Australia or France, both second seeds, plus one of Scotland or Argentina who are in the third tier.