Challenge
Cup moves to summer
The
BBC and Rugby Football League have signed a new three
year deal for live and exclusive coverage of the Powergen Challenge
Cup which sees the competition move to the summer, culminating in
an August final.
The
contract runs from 2005 to 2007 inclusive, and follows on from the
current Powergen Challenge Cup deal which includes this year's competition.
The
move in the calendar enables the Challenge Cup final to take place
at the end of August, just as the Super League is coming to its
climax, when interest in rugby league is at its highest.
In
addition, the BBC has also signed a four-year deal (2004-2007) with
the RFL which includes highlights of the new Tri-Nations international
series between Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand and Super
League action.
BBC's
Director of Sport Peter Salmon said: "The BBC is delighted
with this new deal which builds on years of partnership between
the BBC and the Rugby Football League, taking that relationship
to a new level.
"The
Rugby League Challenge Cup is an authentic national moment in the
British sporting calendar.
"With
the final restored as an end-of-season event, and a new long-term
commitment to Tri Nations and Super League highlights, the BBC intends
to use its unrivalled reach to bring the best of rugby league to
every home in the UK."
He
continued: "Taken together with our radio, online and grass
roots commitments, this is another substantial contribution to a
key British sport and shows what can be achieved when rights holders
and broadcasters work together."
The
radio deal for BBC Local Radio and Radio Five Live, as well as the
BBC Sport website, mirrors the television agreement and also features
Challenge Cup, Super League and Tri Nations.
As
well as an improved highlights commitment on BBC network, BBC's
popular Superleague Show began last Sunday on BBC TWO in the north
of England for its sixth year.
Presented
by Harry Gration, the programme will have a regular slot each Sunday
morning from 10.30 to 11.00am.
The
BBC in the north of England is planning to cover the climax of the
National League season.
Programmes
will include the action and excitement of the play-offs, including
the final, as the top teams fight for a coveted Superleague spot.
All
the BBC's digital services are now available on Freeview,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable. Freeview
offers the BBC's eight television channels, interactive services
from BBCi, as well as 11 national BBC radio networks.
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