ITV quietly axe much-loved sports show as devastated fans slam ‘another nail in the coffin’

ITV’s ditching of a beloved highlights show has left fans absolutely “devastated”.

It emerged this week that the broadcaster’s Premiership Rugby Highlights show has been axed.

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The show – which aired on ITV 1 and ITV4 on Sundays – has been chopped following TNT Sports‘ acquisition of the Gallagher Premiership’s TV rights.

The axing of the show was revealed by its former presenter and ex-Saracens star David Flatman.

He wrote on X: “For the millions [of] you asking where the Prem Rugby Highlights show is, it’s no more. Well, not as we knew it.

“It was a great run, so thank you @premrugby for the memories and the sandwiches.

“Now it’s onwards with the kings and queens of @rugbyontnt – chuffed to be on the team x.”

Ruggers fans up and down the nation were left gutted by the news, with one writing on X: “Really [a] shame.

“Was a great show allowing non-traditional rugby fans & less well-off communities to get a taste of the Prem.”

Another said: “Such a sad day for Prem rugby and another nail in the coffin for this once great game.

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“May this game be restored to an amateur sport to bring it back from imminent death.”

And another said: “Hugely disappointing.”

One remarked: “Massive shame this.”

Another chimed in: “No terrestrial TV is another nail in the game’s coffin, shame on @premrugby and @RFU.”

Rugby union, however, fans shouldn’t fear as ITV has secretly created a new highlights show which will be aired several days after TNT has shown them.

Terrestrial TV viewers will be able to watch highlights on the new Gallagher Premiership Unleashed show, will air every Wednesday at 11:45am