Abergavenny Pub Cancels Rugby Bookings Due to High Commercial Broadcast Costs

While attending a stadium is considered the premier way to experience rugby, many fans opt to watch matches in local pubs, rugby clubs, or from their homes. All of Wales’ national team games are broadcast free of charge on S4C, a result of a partnership with TNT, which aims to maximize availability for supporters. However, viewing other autumn fixtures or accessing English language commentary necessitates a paid subscription, a common requirement for rugby enthusiasts. Jon and Sacha Child, who have operated The Kings Arms Hotel in Abergavenny for nearly 12 years, expressed their “gratitude” for S4C’s free coverage of Wales’ autumn Test series. They determined that the expense of a commercial subscription would not be “viable” for their business. The Kings Arms initially advertised that it would show all 21 games this month, but a TNT representative subsequently informed them they lacked the required subscription. Jon clarified, “It wasn’t in a malicious way, it was more flagging that we didn’t have the right package.” He further explained, “The price for a commercial package was priced a little under £700 a month plus VAT with a minimum six months contract. That was just way too much for us a business.” Jon reported that the pub lost approximately 40-50 customers the previous week for the England v New Zealand match. “We knew they had booked specifically to watch the match here, so when we had to cancel it meant they went to competitors,” he stated. Jon described the ability to show Wales’ games via S4C as a “lifeline,” adding, “Otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to show anything and I think that would have been even more stark for us.” However, he noted that customer feedback indicated a preference for English language commentary, as the majority of patrons do not speak Welsh. Mike Turner from Pontypool argued that all international rugby should be freely accessible on terrestrial television. He remarked, “I know we are lucky to have S4C in Wales but I’m concerned about the Six Nations going that way.” He added that free access to games helps “grow the game,” but without it, people will simply seek other venues for their rugby viewing. Conversely, not everyone believes rugby should be free-to-air. Andy Davies, originally from Risca but now residing in the south west of England, considered the £30.99 subscription “good value for money.” He commented, “I’ve paid for TNT for one month at a cost of £30. For that I get to watch 21 international rugby matches. All Rugby Unions need money and therefore I support pay to view.” Davies continued, “I like to watch all rugby, including the four Welsh regions so I pay for other sport subscriptions too.” He elaborated, “Professional rugby is a business and by paying to watch I feel that I’m supporting the WRU in someway, as I’m not able to attend as much matches I would like.” Natalie Marchant Parry also expressed her willingness to pay. She stated, “I’m at the game for Australia but still don’t want to miss the others and it’s cheaper than going to the pub for each game.” She concluded, “I think we are all in agreement that as much as we would like to see it for free we have to accept the cost.” Jonathan Tippins from Barry shared his perspective: “As a Welsh speaker I am happy to watch the Rugby on S4C, but I always watch the sport with non Welsh speaking friends and family, so reluctantly I’ve paid for TNT.” Sue Butler from S4C affirmed, “Given how important Welsh rugby and the international games are to audiences, we are pleased to offer these games for free, in Welsh, on S4C.” The WRU stated that a separate agreement with TNT permits rugby clubs to broadcast matches live in their clubhouses using a specific code. A WRU spokesperson further commented, “We have been delighted to secure television rights with S4C for all of our matches, in a deal which with Wales’ autumn nations series games to be shown live for the next two seasons.” In August, Trojan Paillot from Warner Bros Discovery Sports Europe, the owner of TNT, indicated that broadcasting the games would ensure TNT Sports remains the preferred destination for rugby fans. Paillot added, “Co-broadcasting the Welsh national team fixtures against Fiji, Australia and South Africa alongside an outstanding partner such as S4C matches our ambition to making those three internationals as widely available as possible to viewers in Wales.” Wales is scheduled to play three matches, all taking place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Additional rugby fixtures can be found on the BBC Sport website. Winnett; Grady, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Murray; Anscombe, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Griffin, Rowlands, Beard, Plumtree, Reffell, Wainwright. Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Botham, J Morgan, Bevan, Costelow. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.