Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has announced the appointment of JSPORTS as Japan's broadcast rights holders for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.
The deal means that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to watch the world's third largest sporting event through JSPORTS terrestrial, BS, CS, internet and mobile platforms.
The announcement is a further boost for Rugby in Japan and follows the decision in July that the country will host Rugby World Cup 2019, the first time that the tournament has been hosted in Asia.
"We are delighted that JSPORTS has been appointed rights holders for Japan. Rugby in Japan is on a high following the announcement that the country will host RWC 2019 and JSPORTS, with its extensive broadcast experience of Rugby and commitment to the Game, will ensure the perfect platform for RWC 2011 to reach out to new audiences across Japan," said RWCL Managing Director Mike Miller.
JSPORTS President Masayoshi Takaba said: "I am very happy to announce JSPORTS' acquisition of the broadcast rights of Rugby World Cup 2011 to be held in New Zealand for the territory of Japan.
"We consider the Rugby World Cup as one of the world's top three sports and with Rugby World Cup 2019 to be hosted by Japan, excitement and interest could not be higher. JSPORTS is determined to further the development and promotion of Rugby in Japan through these rights and our domestic output as the world looks ahead to Rugby World Cup 2019."
RWC 2007 in France reached a global television audience of 4 billion. RWC 2011 will be the seventh edition of Rugby's global showpiece event and will kick off on September 9, 2011 when hosts New Zealand face Tonga in the first of 48 matches spread over 44 days of world class Rugby action.
The tournament in New Zealand will feature the top 20 Rugby nations in the world, including the 12 automatic qualifiers from RWC 2007 in France.
The teams will be divided into four pools of five teams with the top two teams in each pool qualifying for the quarter finals. The RWC 2011 final will be played in Auckland on October 23.
Japan's qualifying campaign concludes next year with the Asian Five Nations determing the region's qualifier. A third successive title would see Japan maintain thier ever present record at Rugby World Cups and they would join hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada in Pool A.
JSPORTS is a committed supporter of Rugby in Japan. Broadcasting Japan national team games and global tournaments such as the Tri Nations, JSPORTS was also the host broadcaster of the record-breaking IRB TOSHIBA Junior World Championship held in Japan in June 2009. JSPORTS is committed to promoting Rugby as the country looks forward to RWC 2019 in Japan.
