CULTURE secretary Lisa Nandy has urged International Rugby League to reconsider the decision to not have any of this autumn’s World Cup matches shown on free-to-air TV.
The event is set to be screened exclusively live by Premier Sports in the UK after the subscription channel secured the broadcasting rights.
Although Premier Sports have previously broadcast matches at the 2013 and 2017 World Cups, the BBC held exclusive rights to the most recent event held in 2022.
They also screened every match in all three competitions across their platforms, although Premier have committed only to showing the 18 men’s matches plus England and knockout games in the women’s and wheelchair competitions.
While the BBC were keen to show a home World Cup three years ago, there was less enthusiasm from UK broadcasters for this one, hosted by Australia with some matches in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, as games will take place overnight and in the morning.
However Nandy, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, MP for Wigan and a rugby league supporter, has called for a deal to be made which would allow some games to be shown free-to-air.
“Rugby league is a source of pride and identity that brings communities together across the country,” she said.
“As a fan myself, I wholeheartedly share fans’ disappointment that the upcoming World Cup will not be on free-to-air television.
“I urge the International Rugby League to work with UK free-to-air broadcasters, so the millions of fans can follow the tournament.”
The deal was negotiated by IMG, who handle the media rights for International Rugby League as well as being a strategic partner of the Rugby Football League.
Danny Kazandjian, secretary general of IRL, said: “Premier Sports has had a strong partnership with international rugby league events for many years and has showcased some of the sport’s elite tournaments.
“IRL is really excited about renewing that relationship as we continue to develop our business, increasing our capacity to invest consistently and in a meaningful way in the global game.
“We have no doubt that Premier Sports’ customers will be enthralled by what promises to be one of the most competitive World Cups in history.”