HTV NOT TO PURSUE WRU TV RIGHTS FOR NEXT SEASON

HTV have announced that they will not be pursuing the WRU TV rights for next season for commercial reasons.
HTV said: The available rights were not detailed enough to form a commercial business plan. As the only purely commercial broadcasters in Wales it is necessary to have definite plans and to have enough fixtures to provide regular programming for our viewers.
They added: “We are justifiably proud of our contribution to the game over four difficult years for the WRU and its relationship with the clubs. Our relationship with the WRU has been good and we will be looking for opportunities to be involved with rugby in the future.”
HTV will maintain their high profile as a sports channel with ITV's rights to Premiership and Champions League football over the next three years and their own exclusive rights to coverage of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham, the Welsh clubs in Nationwide League football. (CD)