Maro Itoje insists Six Nations must stay free-to-air for greater accessibility
- Maro Itoje advocates for the Six Nations to stay on free-to-air television to enhance its audience reach.
- The current broadcasting agreement between the BBC and ITV is nearing its end, with potential bids from TNT Sports.
- Itoje argues that accessibility is crucial for the sport's growth, emphasizing the importance of greater visibility.
In the context of the ongoing Six Nations tournament, England rugby captain Maro Itoje has voiced his strong opinion that the championship should remain accessible via free-to-air television. This position comes ahead of a crucial decision concerning the broadcasting rights, which will affect future tournaments starting in 2026. Currently, the BBC and ITV share the broadcasting rights, a situation that could change as TNT Sports is reportedly exploring the option to bid for these rights. Itoje emphasized the significance of keeping rugby visible to a wide audience, reflecting on his own experience growing up watching matches on public channels. He believes increasing accessibility will grow the sport's viewership, which he stresses is essential for rugby's future growth and popularity. The potential shift to a paywall could limit the sport's reach and, in his view, undermine efforts to elevate rugby's profile and fan engagement. This ongoing debate highlights the tension between financial considerations of broadcasting and the desire to promote sports accessibility among a broad audience. With the contract between current broadcasters set to expire soon, the dialogue surrounding the future of the Six Nations' broadcast could reshape how fans engage with one of rugby's hallmark events in the years to come.