TNT Sports has reportedly failed to reach agreement with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) for continued coverage of the European Rugby Champions Cup from next season.
The broadcaster - previously known as BT Sport - has held the rights to the top-tier European club competition, as well as the second-tier Challenge Cup, since 2017 and the current deal is due to expire this summer.
TNT has gradually been positioning itself as the UK home of rugby union, recently agreeing a landmark deal to show every Premiership Rugby game from next season and poaching the Autumn Internationals from Amazon.
According to The Times, TNT is unwilling to increase the amount it pays the EPCR for broadcast rights to the European competitions and there is a real risk of UK viewers missing out on full coverage from next season.
The newspaper says that TNT has found the Champions Cup increasingly difficult and more expensive to cover, particularly with the addition of South African teams, and even resorted to having commentary based out of London rather than on site for some French pool games this season.
The final of this year's competition will be contested between Leinster and Toulouse at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25.
Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.
Media Mole Low-Price Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £23 a month + £0 upfront fee for 18 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends 20th June 2024
