BBC AMERICA TO BROADCAST LIVE SIX NATIONS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

RBS Six Nations Championship, one of Europe’s biggest annual sporting events, will broadcast LIVE on BBC AMERICA starting Saturday, February 6. The cable channel will broadcast five live matches. The BBC will broadcast every match in HD this year, a first for the rugby series. However, it is not clear whether it will be in HD on the BBC America schedule (currently do not broadcast in HD). The matches will also be streamed on the BBC website and available on BBC iPlayer.

BBC AMERICA is available on Channel 105 (Brighthouse Cable) and on Channel 264 (DirecTV Satellite).

BBC AMERICA SCHEDULE (set your DVR’S):

Wales versus England (London)- Saturday, February 6, 12:00 p.m. ET

Ireland versus France (Paris)- Saturday, February 13, 11:30 a.m. ET

Ireland versus England (London)- Saturday, February 27, 11:00 a.m. ET

Wales versus Ireland (Dublin)- Saturday, March 13, 9:30 a.m. ET

England versus France (Paris)- Saturday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. ET

FAST SIX NATIONS FACTS (http://www.rbs6nations.com)

In 1871, England and Scotland played the first rugby union international.

In 1883, the Home International Championship, comprising England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales was played.

In 1910, France officially joined the competition and coined the phrase “Five Nations.”

In 2000, Italy joined the competition and the tournament became known as the “Six Nations Championship.”

In 2008 the BBC test screened a Six Nations match between Scotland and England in HD 3D, which was the first live international sport to do so.

Played annually, the format of the Championship is simple: each team plays every other team once, with home field advantage alternating from one year to the next. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. Unlike most other rugby union competitions the bonus point system is not used.

Victory in every game results in a ‘Grand Slam’. Back to back Grand Slams have been achieved on five occasions, by Wales in 1908/1909, by England in 1913/1914, 1923/1924 and 1991/1992 and by France in 1997/1998. England holds the record for the number of Grand Slams won with 12, followed by Wales with 9, France with 8, Scotland with 3 and Ireland with 1.

There is also the title of “Triple Crown” competed for each year, which is awarded if a team from the four Home Nations (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) beats each of the other three Home Nations. The Triple Crown has twice been won on four consecutive occasions, once by Wales in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979 and once by England in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. England hold the record for the number of Triple Crowns won with 23, followed by Wales with 18, Scotland with 10 and Ireland with 9. Although this achievement has long been a feature of the tournament, it was not until 2006 that a physical trophy, commissioned by the Royal Bank of Scotland, was awarded.

The last-placed nation at the end of the tournament is said to have won the (purely figurative) Wooden Spoon.

SETANTA SPORTS USA TO CEASE BROADCASTING

Setanta Sports announced on January 27, 2010 that it cease broadcasting its channel in the United States and the Caribbean on February 28th 2010. For the remainder of January and throughout February, Setanta will continue to broadcast normally and will feature its usual line up of top games from the Barclays Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, Heineken Cup, Magners League and Guinness Premiership.

Setanta Sports has reached an agreement with Fox Soccer Channel to transfer select programming rights, including many premium soccer and rugby events.  Fox Soccer Channel will acquire these rights effective March 1, 2010. One benefit is that Fox Soccer Channel is scheduled to introduce HD soon (as part of their deal to purchase UEFA Champions League programming).

Fox Soccer Channel is available on Channel 104 (Brighthouse Cable) and on Channel 619 (DirecTV Satellite).

As we learn more about Fox Soccer Channel’s programming for rugby we will update you.

Peter Craig

ORFC Club Secretary