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Premiership Rugby matches look set to be broadcast for the first time on mainstream terrestrial television from next year
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It is understood that BT Sport is considering allowing several games to be shown on a free-to-air broadcaster
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Under the current broadcasting arrangements, only a highlights programme is available on terrestrial television
Premiership matches are set to be broadcast on terrestrial television during the 2017/18 season.
After buying the rights to broadcast Premiership matches for £152 million in 2012, BT Sport are considering allowing a free to air broadcaster televise several fixtures during the 2017/18 season.
According to The Telegraph, ITV are leading the chase to broadcast the fixtures. This would make sense, as ITV already host a highlights show which attracts 400,000 viewers each weekend.
However, the BBC could look to come to an arrangement with BT allowing them broadcast 10 games over the course of the 2017/18 season.
Indeed, the BBC could be tempted to come to an agreement with BT, as they have not shown any club rugby fixtures since Sky secured the rights to the Heineken Cup in 2003.
As The Telegraph believe a live match could attract over one million viewers, competition between ITV and the BBC is set to be fierce.
Since BT began broadcasting Premiership fixtures, audience figures have increased by over 50%.
They have also come to an arrangement with NBC Sport in the US, which will see matches shown live in over 200 countries and reaching more than 170 million households worldwide.