Rugby World Cup matches will be broadcast on US network
television for the first time after the International Rugby Board
announced that NBC Sports and Universal Sports have been awarded
the exclusive rights to the 2011 tournament in New Zealand and the
2015 tournament in England.
The groundbreaking deal, announced by IRB Chief Executive
Mike Miller in New York today, will see the final of each Rugby
World Cup broadcast on NBC and Universal Sports network as a key
element of a multi-platform approach that will ensure unprecedented
television and digital media coverage in the United States of all
48 matches from Rugby's premier event.
Under the deal, NBC and Universal Sports has also committed
to broadcasting other key matches from each tournament, while live
and delayed match video will also be accessible at
Universal;sports.com and on Universal Sports' mobile platforms.
Universal Sports' and NBC Sports' match coverage will
feature a studio pre-match show, halftime and post-match reaction
and all the action will be broadcast in high definition.
IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller said: "Today's
announcement represents a significant milestone in the development
of Rugby in the United States. NBC and Universal Sports are
globally renowned for quality broadcast delivery of major sports
events in the United States and their considerable experience and
passion for sport will deliver the widespread platform for Rugby
World Cup to truly capture the hearts and minds of American sports
fans."
"The announcement further underscores the sport's
rapidly growing profile in emerging Rugby markets, further
accelerated by the IOC's decision to include Rugby Sevens in
the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Sports fans across
America will be able to look forward to a Rugby World Cup that will
showcase the very best that our sport has to offer. I am sure that
it will be a hit."
Universal Sports Chief Executive Officer David Sternberg
said: "This is a very significant rights acquisition for
Universal Sports, especially given the growing popularity of Rugby
around the world and in America. We are delighted to be partnering
with the IRB for the Rugby World Cup and other top events, and we
look forward to showcasing global Rugby, at its highest level, for
our audiences across all of our platforms - television, online and
mobile."
The deal enhances Universal Sports' commitment to Rugby
in the United States and reflects growing interest in the sport
following the International Olympic Committee's decision to
include Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The network has also broadcast the US College Sevens and the
Churchill Cup this year, bringing Rugby to the attention of more
sports fans across the country than ever before.
