Joint Six Nations TV bid

That would please the Rugby Football Union, which sees value in the sport having a higher profile on terrestrial TV while Sky subscribers benefit via the autumn internationals on Sky.

The Six Nations has had a long-standing relationship with the BBC and the broadcaster’s current rights deal was due to run until 2017.

Labour’s shadow sports minister has welcomed reports the BBC and ITV have teamed up to keep the Six Nations on terrestrial television.

Yesterday’s announcement by the Six Nations Council sees the BBC hang on to at least some of the rights that it had feared it would lose to Sky Sports, forcing it to approach ITV to assist with a joint bid.

It means all of Wales’ Six Nations home games at the Millennium Stadium will be shown on the BBC, as will those of both Scotland and France.

‘The shabby little behind-the-stairs deal the Secretary of State cooked up this week for the licence fee represents another 20 per cent cut in real terms – that’s not a cold bath, that’s a prolonged period in the deep freeze, ‘ he said. Whether or not the BBC reaches a deal with Discovery over those rights is something for the BBC and Discovery.

Sky is believed to have entered the bidding, but did not match the combined £300m offer put forward by the two terrestrial stations.

The BBC faces an uncertain future after learning the Government was planning to make it foot the £650m bill for supplying over-75s with a free television licence and last week was beaten to the rights for the Olympic Games by the owner of Eurosport.

“It’s a very special competition and our viewing figures from this year prove just how popular it is with audiences”.

ITV’s Niall Sloane added: “We’re delighted to be strengthening our ties with the game”.

The Six Nations is not on Ofcom’s list of sporting events that must be shown live on free-to-air TV, such as the Rugby World Cup final and the Olympics.