Wigan Warriors to feature on the BBC following new historic broadcast deal, including World Club Challenge

[josie andrews]

Super League and the BBC have agreed to a new historic broadcast deal ahead of the biggest season in the sport.

Rugby League Commercial and BBC Sport have confirmed a new three-year broadcast partnership which for the first time includes regular live coverage of the Super League and this month’s World Club Challenge, as well as the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Challenge Cups.

With BBC winning the rights over Channel 4, the new coverage will kick off when champions Wigan Warriors launch their title defence at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle against Castleford Tigers on Saturday, February 17 from 5pm on BBC Two and iPlayer - the first Super League match to be shown live on the BBC.

Wigan’s World Club Challenge showdown against NRL kings Penrith Panthers will also be broadcast live the following Saturday from the DW Stadium, with a sell-out crowd already confirmed.

A total of up to 15 Super League matches will be covered in each of the next three seasons across digital and linear channels, including two matches in the play-offs live on BBC TV for the first time in September and October.

In another first, the BBC Sport website and app will carry selected highlights from the Women’s Super League, including the semi finals and Grand Final, and the Wheelchair Super League Grand Final.

RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones commented: “This is a landmark agreement for rugby league.

"Securing live free to air coverage on the BBC for the Super League competition as part of this reimagined partnership means there will be more visibility than ever before.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ge-4508998

[widdenoldboy]

About time.

[moto748]

Yes, good to hear this finally confirmed.

[archiekeith]

Yes, good to hear this finally confirmed.

+1

[ancientnloyal]

5pm Saturday on BbC

That’s a cracking time to be honest. Post-football, pre-prime time.

Don’t mess this up RFL

[Blackpool_Pie]

This is really good news. Needs good viewing figures though

[ancientnloyal]

We know we have the product. The BBC and others like The Sportman have the talent to wax lyrical about our sport. Mark Chapman, Helen Skelton have a great opportunity to cement firstly their own careers, latterly Helen, who drives a nice Audi 4x4, but to show why RL can be as big as RU.

Better product, better sport, it’s free. Why watch endless scrimmages when you can watch French, Field, Lomax and a full Headingley on a Saturday night instead of some posh t*** who’s rugby talent is far less superior than that of an average Leigh East player

[archiekeith]

We know we have the product. The BBC and others like The Sportman have the talent to wax lyrical about our sport. Mark Chapman, Helen Skelton have a great opportunity to cement firstly their own careers, latterly Helen, who drives a nice Audi 4x4, but to show why RL can be as big as RU.

Better product, better sport, it’s free. Why watch endless scrimmages when you can watch French, Field, Lomax and a full Headingley on a Saturday night instead of some posh t*** who’s rugby talent is far less superior than that of an average Leigh East player

Agreed. But what I want to mention is your appendage re Wigan's hall of fame. I don't recall a James Slevin I do remember Ted Slevin. He featured at Wigan in the. 50/ and60'tis. In fact it was my first Challenge Cup visit is 1951. That team could easily grace our hall of fame Ted played second row . Some of the others you mention Along with George curran Billy Blan loose forward great team winning 10/nil. Incidentally Billy Blan sold me a car when he was a car salesman years later. Happy days. Oh by the way I'd also include Bill AsHurst my favourite RL player

[Richymac]

Just had an advert for the Cas game on BBC at half time during the Scotland 6 nations match. More of the same please BBC!

[ancientnloyal]

We know we have the product. The BBC and others like The Sportman have the talent to wax lyrical about our sport. Mark Chapman, Helen Skelton have a great opportunity to cement firstly their own careers, latterly Helen, who drives a nice Audi 4x4, but to show why RL can be as big as RU.

Better product, better sport, it’s free. Why watch endless scrimmages when you can watch French, Field, Lomax and a full Headingley on a Saturday night instead of some posh t*** who’s rugby talent is far less superior than that of an average Leigh East player

Agreed. But what I want to mention is your appendage re Wigan's hall of fame. I don't recall a James Slevin I do remember Ted Slevin. He featured at Wigan in the. 50/ and60'tis. In fact it was my first Challenge Cup visit is 1951. That team could easily grace our hall of fame Ted played second row . Some of the others you mention Along with George curran Billy Blan loose forward great team winning 10/nil. Incidentally Billy Blan sold me a car when he was a car salesman years later. Happy days. Oh by the way I'd also include Bill AsHurst my favourite RL player

Jim Slevin was a founder member of our club in 1879 and one of my heroes. He turned down an Anglo-Australian tour in 1888 so he could help Wigan win the West Lancs cup. Our towns first superstar