Latest news with #TomHarrison
Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Six Nations to start on Thursday for first time in 2026
Next year's Six Nations Championship will open with a Thursday night fixture between the reigning champions France and Ireland in Paris. The first midweek championship game in 78 years has been scheduled for February 5 in order to avoid a Friday night clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan. France TV is the host broadcaster for both the Olympics and Six Nations, pending confirmation of a contract renewal. A Saturday night game did not suit broadcasters in France, the UK or Ireland, and so a scheduling decision came down to either a Saturday afternoon slot or an opportunity to break new ground and launch the championship on a Thursday night. Tom Harrison, the Six Nations chief executive, has been anxious to
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Modernist Highton home scores $110k bonus, selling for the first time since 1964
Devotees of Mid-Century architecture are proving to be large in number and deep in pocket with a classic Highton home selling for more than $100,000 above price hopes. The three top bidders for a four-bedroom Mid-Century classic selling for the first time in Highton's Reigate Rd were in the industry, with the two underbidders both architects, McGrath, Geelong agent Tom Harrison said after Saturday's auction. The two-storey home at 66 Reigate Rd sold for $960,000 after five bidders raised a hand for the residence designed by Walter Hodgson, built by his family and selling for the first time since 1964. Mr Harrison said after a slow start, the competition for the home intensified at the auction called by McGrath Geelong director David Cortous. And once contracts were signed, the family and buyers continued chatting about what's next for the beautifully presented mid century residence. 'It was going to be popular just based on the rarity of it and we ended up having five groups put their hand up,' Mr Harrison said. The number one reason for the home's popularity was its mid-century architecture, he said. 'The best two of three auctions we've had have been mid-century homes. Both campaigns had 100-plus groups through. 'It's just that style, and with this one the facade was super-unique with floor to ceiling windows the whole way across, a triple garage underneath and a double carport at the back. And it was Reigate Rd.' Mr Harrison said the buyers first saw the property while it was featured on a mid century architecture Instagram page. 'That's where they first saw it, then they go on and just got all that exposure because it was super unique. The green carpet, the straw ceiling and the cool story behind it.' The untouched mid century was a true time capsule which the original owner's family pitched in to finish while he was away overseas is selling for the first time in Highton. The custom 1964 house was designed by local architect Walter Hodgson, who was also responsible for Belmont's Buena Vista motel. Mr Harrison said the buyers don't expect to change much. 'They just want to modernise what they need to and keep the rest,' he said. The beautifully preserved interior avoids artificial materials, instead showcasing natural materials such as the pressed straw ceiling, solid blackwood internal doors and alpine ash walls. The owner's son said the house was a labour of love for his engineer father who spent several months working in Mexico during the build but stayed intensively involved through long, detailed letters. He said his parents were attracted to the elevated site's panoramic views over Geelong and the opportunity to incorporate a large garage space where they could restore vintage cars. The original kitchen retains ceiling-mounted cabinetry and floor-to-ceiling windows across both the front and back of the house remain. The family member said a carport had been added for ease of access but nothing had changed inside apart from the hardwood floors now being carpeted.
The Independent
15-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
How bonus points work in the Six Nations
The Six Nations reaches its finale today with the bonus point system taking centre stage. Introduced in 2017, the point system helps reward attacking rugby and could prove decisive in the final standings in 2025. A bonus point can be earned in two ways - if teams score four tries, or if they lose by seven or fewer points. However, the competition format necessitates an extra rule to avoid the potential for a team to win all five games and still lose out on the title to a team that won just four games. Three more points will be awarded if a team can win every single match in a championship. A grand slam winner would therefore have at least 23 points, an insurmountable total against any other team. Six Nations points system Four points are awarded for a win. Two points are awarded for a draw. A try bonus point is awarded for scoring four or more tries in a match. A losing bonus point is awarded for losing by seven or fewer points. If a team scored four tries in a match and loses by seven points or fewer, they are awarded both bonus points. Three points are awarded to a team that wins all five of their matches, i.e. a Grand Slam. This prevents a scenario in which a team wins every fixture but misses out on the title due to bonus points. The bonus points system attracted criticism ahead of the final weekend of last year's men's tournament when a scenario could have panned out that saw Ireland win fewer games than England but take the title. As it happened, Ireland won and England lost on Super Saturday, rendering the conversation moot, but Tom Harrison, the chief executive of the Six Nations, has insisted that bonus points are here to stay. 'Remember why bonus points are there — bonus points are there to promote positive rugby. It's about fan engagement,' Harrison said. 'Also, the players know. It's not as though we're saying 'you've played so well, we're going to award you an extra point afterwards'. 'There were some brilliantly unpredictable results. That's one of the features of the Six Nations - you genuinely don't know what's going to happen. We've still got jeopardy. No, I don't think it will change.'
The Guardian
14-03-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Six Nations to remain on free-to-air TV until 2029 after new ITV and BBC deal
The Six Nations will remain on free-to-air TV until 2029 after striking a new deal which will see ITV broadcast all England matches. Despite fears that the championship would disappear behind a paywall, ITV and the BBC have brokered an arrangement to keep the annual tournament on terrestrial TV for the next four years. As part of the new arrangement, ITV will have the rights to all five of England men's matches and will show 10 fixtures per year. Under the current deal which ends after this year's championship, the BBC shows all Wales and Scotland home fixtures, meaning they will screen Saturday's clash between Wales and England. Sources have indicated that the new deal is worth around £63m a year, representing a modest uplift on the previous arrangement with ITV paying a slightly greater proportion than previously. It is understood that despite showing interest, TNT Sports did not bid. The BBC will broadcast five matches a year and will continue to show Wales and Scotland home fixtures, provided England are not involved. Saturday's match at the Principality Stadium will therefore be the last involving England to be shown on the BBC until 2030 at the earliest. 'The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated,' said the Six Nations chief executive, Tom Harrison. 'By strengthening rugby's relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations.' Ultimately, the fact the tournament is staying on free-to-air TV will be a popular decision. The Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney said he was 'really pleased' that 'maximum visibility of our sport' had been retained while earlier in the competition the England captain Maro Itoje issued an impassioned plea to organisers, urging them not to move behind a paywall. 'I think the Six Nations should be viewed by as many people as possible,' said Itoje. 'I grew up watching the Six Nations on the BBC and on ITV. The fact that it's been on free-to-air, for so many people – I think rugby needs more eyes on it, not less. Obviously, I am not involved in the finances of the deals but I think, even though international rugby is massive, the sport should be looking at ways to be more accessible to more people, as opposed to the opposite.' It is understood that TNT Sports gave long consideration to bidding for the tournament, having won the rights to show the autumn internationals, but in January suggested they would not be following through on their interest. Sky showed no interest in bidding. A TNT Sports spokesperson said: 'While we think the Six Nations is the best international rugby competition in the world, its important partnership with free-to-air television across the UK and Ireland, but particularly in markets like Wales and Ireland, would make our involvement very challenging.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion A subscription broadcaster is likely to pay more for the rights to the championship but would not have the reach of the BBC and ITV. England's victory over Ireland last year attracted a peak audience of 6.6 million viewers while some fixtures can approach 10 million. An arrangement that would see some of the tournament remain on free-to-air and some of it go to a subscription broadcaster was considered a genuine possibility but ultimately the BBC and ITV have stumped up to continue their arrangement up to and including the 2029 tournament. As part of the new deal, the women's Six Nations will remain on the BBC until 2029, as well as the under-20s competition.
Reuters
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
BBC, ITV agree Six Nations rights deal until 2029
March 14 (Reuters) - The BBC and ITV have agreed a new four-year broadcast deal for the Six Nations, which will remain on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom, organisers announced on Friday. According to the agreement, which comes into effect from the 2026 edition and will run until 2029, ITV will broadcast 10 games each year including every England fixture, while the BBC will provide coverage of five matches involving Scotland and Wales. The BBC has also secured the media rights to every fixture of the Women's Six Nations until 2029, as well as the Under-20 competition. "The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated," Six Nations Rugby CEO Tom Harrison said in a statement. "By strengthening rugby's relationships with ITV and the BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations. "These partnerships allow us to maximise audience reach whilst generating critical revenue for the game, enabling each Union and Federation to protect and grow the sport in their country in the coming years." The 2025 edition of the Six Nations will conclude on Saturday. France, who top the standings, face Scotland at the Stade de France in their final match and are odds-on favourites to win the title.
