Premiership Rugby crowds on the increase

Aviva Premiership Rugby will be broadcast on talkSPORT 2, the new national 24-hour sports radio station, in a new deal announced today.

The partnership will see talkSPORT 2 provide live commentary of at least one match per round during the regular season, plus full coverage of the semi-finals and Final at Twickenham on 28 May. Alongside this sister station talkSPORT are also committed to broadcasting key matches across the year.

The news of the new partnership coincides with confirmation of a 5.9% rise in the average Aviva Premiership Rugby attendance this season with 18 matches selling out, compared to 11 at the same time last year.

"The appeal of Aviva Premiership Rugby grows every season and alongside a significant rise in attendances we are delighted to confirm this new partnership with talkSPORT which brings the League to a new audience,” said Premiership Rugby's Commercial Director, Dominic Hayes.

"It is exciting to see a brand new radio station launching and for Aviva Premiership Rugby to be at the front and centre of their coverage.”

talkSPORT is also expanding its popular Full Contact brand, with talkSPORT 2 offering a new Monday review programme as well as preview features and content across both stations as part of the new deal which sees talkSPORT 2 secure global audio rights to Aviva Premiership Rugby for the remainder of the current campaign and the whole of the 2016-17 season.

Mike Bovill, Managing Editor of talkSPORT 2, said: "To secure live rights for both Aviva Premiership Rugby and First Utility Super League is a huge coup for talkSPORT 2, providing rugby fans with a real reason to listen.

"It's incredibly exciting to be the only broadcaster with dedicated weekly programming for rugby union and to be able to offer more coverage of Super League than any other national UK station – making us the destination for live commentaries and magazine shows.”