BT and Premiership Rugby Extend Their Friendship

On Monday Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty announced the top flight of English rugby will be staying with BT Sport until the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

McCafferty said "BT Sport has been a fantastic partner for English club rugby so we are delighted that we have been able to extend our relationship with them for a further four years. This is the longest TV agreement in the history of Premiership Rugby.

"In the 18 months we have been on-air with them our live TV audiences have grown by 50 per cent, so it is clear that the partnership is going from strength to strength.

"In almost two seasons of coverage broadcasting the Aviva Premiership BT Sport has set new standards for the live broadcast of rugby. Their innovative style has received great acclaim and we look forward to developing the partnership over the next six seasons" added McCafferty.

I was worried after BT splashed out £900 million on the executive rights to broadcast the Champions League and Europa League, which has cost them to lose the rights to the Top 14, MLS and a smaller chunk of Premier League football.

However, McCafferty's last quote is something I want to talk about because in recent years viewers have been complaining about the coverage of rugby on Sky and BBC and let's not even talk about why ITV have the broadcasting rights to the Rugby World Cup.

It comes down to the fact BT have been smashing it and showing the other broadcasters how rugby coverage should be done.

It starts with Craig Doyle, whose relaxed presenting style makes not only the viewers at home feel comfortable, but the guests on the show as well, and his conversations with guests and pundits are brilliant. Unlike some presenters on certain sporting broadcasters Doyle knows what he's talking about.

Like everyone else, Stuart Barnes’ coverage annoys me while I’m also not a big fan of Brian Moore’s complaining regarding the scrum. I think this is down to Ben Kay's 'Gary Neville like' game analysts which fans of the game and new viewers of the sport find interesting and useful. 

Much like World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio, who also has brilliant analysis from a forwards point of view, you also have Austin Healy and Matt Dawson gives the point of view from a backs perspective which is why in recent months Healy has been highlighting the flaws in the scrum and calling for there to be some changes.

Holding down the fort at BT, the unsung heroes are Nick Mullins and Alastair Eykyn, who do their jobs whilst Kay and Healy fight like brothers trying to be dad's favourite.

On Sunday's I see tweets from fans on the @btsportrugby page praising the guest who is on the Sunday show with the two most popular are Luther Burrell and Henry Slade. Then, for Rugby Tonight they bring in big name players with their biggest show to date being the Six Nations special when they had the likes of Sam Warburton, Chris Robshaw, the Vunipola Brothers, Stuart Hogg, Owen Farrell, George North, Maun Tuilagi and Andrew Trimble. You have to admit that's a pretty decent guest list.

The demos have become interesting and useful for kids to go to their local rugby club and practise in order to become the next Warburton or North. Plus, it gives coaches ideas for their practise sessions.

BT couldn't have extended their contract if it wasn't for the talent and guests, but it wouldn't be as highly acclaimed if it wasn't for the behind the scenes people at Sunset and Vine who make Doyle and co look good.

So here's to more great rugby on the home of Premiership rugby BT where I am proud to be a small part of the team.