Premiership Rugby strikes new ‘multi-year’ TV deal that includes ‘huge step forward’ for Women’s game after the Ilona Maher effect

TNT Sports will continue to be the home of English domestic rugby after agreeing a new long-term deal with Premiership Rugby and Premiership Women’s Rugby.

Ratings for both competitions have once again increased as well, with the Premiership seeing an 11% jump on last season’s figures.

As part of the new deal, every match of the Gallagher Premiership will be aired live on TNT Sports or Discovery + until the end of the 2030/31 season. On top of this, at least one match from every round of the PWR will be aired until the end of the 2028/29 season.

TNT Sports to be the place to go for men’s and women’s rugby in England

Commenting on the news, Andrew Georgiou, President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said: “TNT Sports is proud to cement its position as the home of men’s and women’s domestic rugby, providing fans with certainty on where they can watch every moment of every match of Premiership Rugby and extensive coverage of Premiership Women’s Rugby.

“There is no doubt the quality of both competitions continues to improve each season and we are convinced the changes being mooted by Premiership Rugby, together with the strength of our production and on-air team, that we can continue to grow viewership and attendance over the next five seasons. Furthermore, we are absolutely thrilled to continue to bring Premiership Women’s Rugby to rugby fans that know TNT Sports is the home of club rugby and believe this is also the best way to continue to promote and grow the women’s game.”

Simon Massie-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Premiership Rugby, added: “Our recent partnership with TNT Sports has helped drive record audiences and attract a million new fans to the Gallagher Premiership, alongside drawing record crowds and a second sold-out final in a row.

“Our clubs have worked hard to establish the Gallagher Premiership as a compelling competition with high-quality entertaining rugby, and TNT Sports have embraced the challenge to continue to innovate to help grow the sport and their output has been first class.

“This extended partnership allows both parties to invest in the long-term growth of the Gallagher Premiership and we are very excited about the future.”

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A huge step forward for women’s rugby

Also commenting, Genevieve Shore, Executive Chair, Premiership Women’s Rugby, said: “The extension of our partnership with TNT Sports is a huge step forward for Premiership Women’s Rugby.

“Showcasing a live match every weekend for the next four years means our incredible athletes will be seen by more fans than ever before, giving them the platform they deserve and inspiring the next generation of players.

“We’re thrilled to be working with a broadcaster that shares our vision for the future of the women’s game, and this deal is a powerful vote of confidence in the strength, skill, and excitement that define Premiership Women’s Rugby and its athletes.

“The huge rise in viewing figures last season shows the potential of PWR, and together with TNT Sports, we will continue to grow women’s rugby.”

TNT Sports have also confirmed another huge rise in the viewing audiences too. On top of the aforementioned 11% growth, PWR has seen a 156% increase in viewership since the Autumn Nations Series – also shown live on TNT Sports, and the 2024/25 final, in which Gloucester-Hartpury beat Saracens 34-19, pulled in a 36% increase on last year’s showpiece.

The impact that Ilona Maher had on the PWR

Since bursting into global recognition in last year’s Olympic Games with the USA 7s team, Ilona Maher has amassed supporters from not just the rugby world, but people all over the planet.

Her body positivity stance and winning personality have helped gain her recognition from some of the most high profile organisations and people in today’s society. Her impact on the women’s game is arguably unmatched, having influenced so many youngsters into joining the game, and made even more feel comfortable in their own skin.

Such was her impression on the PWR and the people of Bristol during her time in the English west-country, fans were flocking in their thousands from all around, just to see the 28-year-old in action.

One person said: “My daughter came home from school and said her whole class was talking about ‘that really strong but really beautiful woman that plays rugby’. None of them could remember your name but they all knew you.” 

It’s this influence, among much more, that has brought such attention to the league – something that TNT sports have sat up and taken notice of.

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