Brazilian rugby body partners with Esporte Interativo

The Brazilian Confederation of Rugby (CBRu) has agreed a rights deal with sports broadcaster Esporte Interativo.

The agreement will initially cover the national team’s Test match against Portugal on June 10, which will be played at the Estádio do Pacaembu in Sao Paulo. However, the CBRu has said it is hopeful the deal can develop into a long-term partnership.

Esporte Interativo will broadcast the game free-to-air via its self-titled channel and on pay-television via El Maxx 1. In addition, the CBRu will live stream the game via its recently launched video channel, BrasilRugbyTV.

The CBRu has been engaged in efforts to take rugby to new platforms following the end of its deal with pay-television broadcaster SporTV in 2016. It has previously signed deals with commercial broadcaster RedeTV and internet platform UoL.

“It is very important to take the sport to other channels, and a clear signal that everyone is interested in having rugby on the screen,” Agustin Danza, chief executive of CBRu, said. “It is a great deal and we look forward to expanding the partnership with Esporte Interativo over time.”