Previous commercial agreements, including Sky's broadcast deal which runs until 2010, had been negotiated by the now defunct joint venture England Rugby Limited on behalf both of the 12 Guinness Premiership rugby clubs and the RFU.
The RFU was responsible for the four Investec internationals in autumn 2006, while more than 20 Guinness Premiership games were broadcast last season. However, Premier Rugby, which represents the Premiership, had been dissatisfied with the terms of previous deals, which saw revenues split roughly 50-50 with the RFU.
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