BBC secures Six Nations until 2013

The BBC has completed a deal with the Six Nations Committee which will keep the tournament on the corporation's channels until at least 2013.

The new deal extends BBC Sport's current contract as exclusive broadcaster of the Six Nations, which runs until 2009 and covers TV, radio and online.

BBC Sport director of sport rights, Dominic Coles, said: "We're delighted to have renewed our partnership with the biggest annual rugby tournament in the world, a crown jewel in the annual sporting calendar. Audiences for the Six Nations have grown significantly since the tournament returned to the BBC four years ago and we look forward to continuing to work with the Six Nations Committee to build interest even further through the BBC's unparalleled offering of TV, radio, online and interactive services."