Sky Sports Lions is to become available from 17 July until 10 August.
Sky Sports is to launch a dedicated pop-up channel to show coverage of the British and Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa.
In addition to all eight of the team’s matches on the tour, including warm ups and the three Tests, the 24 days of non-stop coverage will contain archive footage, documentaries, and exclusive behind the scenes content. The friendly matches will include an hour of build-up and post-match analysis, with the Tests receiving 90 minutes.
Available on Sky and NOW, the channel will launch on 17 July and last until 10 August - replacing Sky Sports Action.
Alex Payne will host the action, and he will be joined by former Lions and Wales captain Sam Warburton, Ireland’s leading points-scorer Ronan O’Gara, as well as England’s World Cup winners Will Greenwood and Maggie Alphonsi. In addition, four-time Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan and Nigel Owens - the highest capped referee of all time - will add their insight and analysis from the studio, and reporter Sarra Elgan will be on the ground in South Africa with former South Africa winger Bryan Habana. Conor McNamara will provide the commentary for every match of the Tour.
Meanwhile, Scott Quinnel will be a roving reporter from the Sky Sports Fan Van brought to you by Laithwaites, travelling across the UK to speak to fans and ex-players who are unable to make the trip to South Africa. This will create daily social media content, as well as broadcasts from pubs and rugby clubs across the country.
Sunday mornings will have the Lions Breakfast Show, and Sky Sports and NOW customers will also have access to documentary Chasing The Sun. The five-episode show on Springbok rugby looks into themes on and off the pitch, culminating with South Africa captain Siya Kolisi lifting the 2019 World Cup.
Sky Sports managing director, Jonathan Licht, said: “We’re thrilled to beworking with the British & Irish Lions to bring our viewers a seventh consecutive Lions tour - a partnership that has now entered its 25th year - and we’re looking forward to seeing some thrilling rugby played in South Africa against the current world champions. With fans unable to cheer on the Lions in person, we’re pleased to be able to bring the best of the action to the Sea of Red back home.”
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