BBC’s four-year Six Nations deal

The new contract, believed to represent an improvement on the existing deal, extends BBC Sport’s current deal as exclusive broadcaster of the Six Nations on TV, radio and online, which runs until 2013.

This year’s tournament saw audiences increase to their highest level for 13 years, with an average of 4.7 million per match and over 30 million people in the UK tuning into some of the championship according to BBC figures, ensuring the Six Nations remains the most sought-after annual rugby event.

John Feehan, chief executive of the Six Nations, insisted that there had been no detrimental effect on the bids from the recent economic depression and that all six nations, including the SRU, were “very happy” with the deal.

He said: “The Six Nations remains the top annual event in world rugby and it was a tendering process open again to all broadcasters, but the BBC won out with the best tender again and agreeing it now helps all of our nations plan for the future on a sound financial footing.

“We are delighted that BBC Sport will maintain, extend and enhance its coverage of the RBS Six Nations, the world’s biggest annual rugby tournament, for a further four years to March 2017.”

Broadcasting revenue underpins professional rugby and the Six Nations remains one of the BBC’s flagship sports events. BBC director of sport Barbara Slater said: “The Six Nations is a crown jewel in the sporting calendar. We’re delighted that we can continue to bring the tournament to our audiences.

“Viewing figures continue to grow year on year.”

On moves to encourage BBC Scotland to take a greater interest in broadcasting rugby, Feehan added: “We’re in continuing discussions with BBC Scotland.

“They are very supportive of the Six Nations Championship and I feel it’s important for us to develop the relationship with them, but we certainly would like to have them involved in televising professional rugby in Scotland and so we’ll keep working to that goal.”