Ulster Rugby on the BBC

[onthewing]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 729565.stm
BBC TV to screen Ulster Magners League matches

BBC television will cover Ulster's matches in the Magners League
BBC Northern Ireland has secured the rights to show live coverage of Magners League rugby for the next four seasons.

All Ulster's home matches, and the away ones against the other Irish provinces, will be screened on BBC2 NI.

Other away games will be available via the red button or the BBC Sport website if covered by partner broadcasters in Scotland, Wales and Italy.

BBC NI will be providing coverage of the Magners League in partnership with BBC ALBA, RTE and TG4.

The programmes will be presented by Stephen Watson, with Jim Neilly and Ryan Constable in the commentary box.

Peter Johnston, Director, BBC NI said: "We are delighted to be able to announce this new deal, particularly at such an exciting time for Ulster Rugby, with a core of talented young local players set to be joined next season by newly recruited, top-class overseas stars.

"This is a great addition to our sports portfolio for Northern Ireland audiences and great news for rugby fans here."

Ulster Rugby's chief executive Shane Logan believed the deal would help increase interest and involvement in the sport.

"Since turning professional, a little over 10 years ago, rugby has gone from strength to strength," he said.

"This move will bring further new audiences for the game and support our development of the sport at grassroots level."

[cables]

Thanks Auntie.

[Rooster]

never thought they would show full matches, thought we might just have highlights and with Gusher on the mike will be just like a radio with pictures

[mikerob]

Well done BBC NI.

Anyone think there could be an impact on attendances? Pissing down rain and a game against the Dragons vs. feet up on the sofa with your favourite tipple close at hand?

However the bigger impact on attendances would be whether the team is winning or not.

[aarons]

"hello, is that Setanta? thanks for everything, but..."

[Rooster]

"hello, is that Setanta? thanks for everything, but..."

Wait till you hear the begging from the other end aaron almost convinced me I would like to watch footy

[Glynncommando]

Good news. Finally - well done the Beeb!!!
GC

[mikerob]

Matt Williams to get the gig as studio pundit?

Ryan Constable only to give MoTM awards to players signed up with Cornerflag?

The beeb radio coverage currently seems to use Maurice Field as the pundit... I think the likes of MW and Emmet Byrne on Setanta are much better.

[aarons]

the only downside here is the inevitable loss of profile in RoI and the lack of decent analysis that will follow. the only time we'll hear decent takes on our players performance will be on RTE after we've played away to munster and leinster

[aarons]

"hello, is that Setanta? thanks for everything, but..."

Wait till you hear the begging from the other end aaron almost convinced me I would like to watch footy

they have football?

if there was one thing on setanta i'd like to watch i'd keep the subscription - i'd like to support them if i could. but what do they have?

[aarons]

http://www.irishrugby.ie/53_21152.php

article on IRFU website stresses friday night games now for ulster

[Harold7]

Somebody on munsterfans recently suggested that Setanta have the rights to the AIL from October (I'm not paying a tenner a month for the AIL), I'd expect them to cover that in quite a bit of detail. They also have a few of Northern Ireland's away qualifiers if you're into football. Apart from that there isn't much else to get excited about. Oh yeah they have the Top 14 but you could get that on ESPN plus the GP and plenty of football (including the Premier League) for the same money.

[aarons]

Somebody on munsterfans recently suggested that Setanta have the rights to the AIL from October (I'm not paying a tenner a month for the AIL), I'd expect them to cover that in quite a bit of detail. They also have a few of Northern Ireland's away qualifiers if you're into football. Apart from that there isn't much else to get excited about. Oh yeah they have the Top 14 but you could get that on ESPN plus the GP and plenty of football (including the Premier League) for the same money.

oh yeah... i do like the top 14 coverage. they often show games ESPN don't...

[Jackie Brown]

What about Francis???? Will he be out of a Job? God love him....

[StevieD]

As previously stated by our CEO at the supporters evenings held at Ravers - glad to see it official and great news for UR, undoubtedly going to make the product of Ulster Rugby open to the masses, that coupled with success on the pitch will def see gate receipts grow.

Good Times