Channel 4 adds to rugby portfolio with Wales games

UK commercial broadcaster Channel 4 has bolstered its rugby union coverage by acquiring live rights to Wales’ three summer Test matches.

The deal was first reported earlier this month, but has now been confirmed with Channel 4 to show Wales’ game against South Africa in the US city of Washington D.C. on June 2, followed by back-to-back Tests against Argentina in San Juan on June 9 and Santa Fe on June 16.

Welsh public-service channel S4C will also show highlights of each game the following day.

Channel 4 has no major history of rugby coverage, but in March acquired rights to the European Champions Cup rugby tournament.

The rights will run for four seasons, from 2018-19 to 2021-22, and Channel 4 will show one match per round during the club tournament’s pool stage, as well as one live match from each knockout round.