Six Nations: Welsh language broadcast must be protected say MPs

In 2021, Welsh language broadcaster S4C struck a four year deal to show all Wales Six Nations matches live.

UK media and sport minister Steph Peacock agreed to meet Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi and others, to discuss the issue at a parliamentary debate.

Antoniazzi, who won nine caps for Wales and played in the first Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1998, told MPs: “It is vital that the Six Nations coverage be available in the Welsh language for those watching it in Wales.

“It is different in Wales, rugby is different, the viewing figures are higher, and also it is such a huge part of our culture.”

Peacock said she would be happy to meet BBC Wales, ITV Wales and S4C to make sure conversations about the Welsh language are heard.

She added: “I know in Wales 80% of the population watch the Six Nations rugby, I think Six Nations rugby are very conscious of this. They are taking many steps to make sure they protect Welsh language broadcast and I know they’re looking at options going forward.”

At the moment, the tournament is categorised as group B by Ofcom, which means only highlights must be shown on free-to-air TV.

Some MPs said it should be changed to group A, which would mean full live coverage has to be available on terrestrial TV.

Ann Davies, Plaid Cymru MP for Caerfyrddin, and Charlie Dewhirst, Conservative MP for Bridlington and The Wold back the proposed change.

Davies said: “International tournaments like the Six Nations are an integral part of our national calendar.

“Win or lose, as has been our case at the moment, rugby brings us all together in Wales and should be included in group A.”

She added that “free-to-view is also so important” for S4C which produces Welsh language coverage for sport.

Peacock said the UK government has no plans to change the current list of sporting events and believes it “strikes an appropriate balance between access to sporting events and allowing sports to maximise broadcasting revenue”.

She said: “This is a live issue and it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on every single stage of ongoing commercial negotiations.

“However, I did recently meet Six Nations Rugby to discuss this issue further, and it was clear to me that Six Nations rugby understands the strength of feeling among rugby fans relating to this issue and appreciates the significant cultural and financial contribution that the Six Nations makes to each nation’s rugby union’s governing body including the Rugby Football Union (RFU).”