09-04-2023, 05:23 PM
Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals confirmed.
All four matches on BT Sport.
Both ITV and RTÉ will show Leinster v. Toulouse on the Saturday.
Scarlets v. Glasgow from the Challenge Cup live on S4C.
Looks like RTÉ have a far better deal than Virgin Media did in the last rights cycle; they've showed an Irish team on every weekend and all three knockout rounds there has only been one match with Irish involvement, so they look to have first pick of sorts. Think the semi-finals will be the first weekend where ITV and RTÉ have showed the same match, which is a welcome change from Channel 4 and Virgin Media having to show the same match every weekend last year.
ITV's deal are probably closer to the Channel 4 deal than the Irish equivalent; they possibly would have chosen Exeter* this week and next round but they have got very good matches with British/Irish involvement regardless.
Worth noting that it appears (via the likes of their commentary used internationally and on the YouTube highlights) that RTÉ and ITV have been host broadcaster for every match they've shown (bar ITV today). If that contonues, it could mean that BT will not be host broadcaster for any remaining Champions Cup games.
*Only English home team/only English team remaining
Usual caveat that French matches are in CEST, so kick-offs are Saturday 15:00 & 17:30, Sunday 12:30 & 15:00
All four matches on BT Sport.
Both ITV and RTÉ will show Leinster v. Toulouse on the Saturday.
Scarlets v. Glasgow from the Challenge Cup live on S4C.
Looks like RTÉ have a far better deal than Virgin Media did in the last rights cycle; they've showed an Irish team on every weekend and all three knockout rounds there has only been one match with Irish involvement, so they look to have first pick of sorts. Think the semi-finals will be the first weekend where ITV and RTÉ have showed the same match, which is a welcome change from Channel 4 and Virgin Media having to show the same match every weekend last year.
ITV's deal are probably closer to the Channel 4 deal than the Irish equivalent; they possibly would have chosen Exeter* this week and next round but they have got very good matches with British/Irish involvement regardless.
Worth noting that it appears (via the likes of their commentary used internationally and on the YouTube highlights) that RTÉ and ITV have been host broadcaster for every match they've shown (bar ITV today). If that contonues, it could mean that BT will not be host broadcaster for any remaining Champions Cup games.
*Only English home team/only English team remaining
Usual caveat that French matches are in CEST, so kick-offs are Saturday 15:00 & 17:30, Sunday 12:30 & 15:00