The Brazilian Confederation of Rugby (CBRu) has agreed a rights deal with commercial broadcaster RedeTV that will lead to rugby union being granted free-to-air exposure in the country for the first time.
The agreement covers two games of the Brazilian national team in this year’s Torneio Sul-Americano de Rugby XV. RedeTV will broadcast Brazil’s games against Uruguay on April 23 and Chile on April 30.
CBRu chief executive Agustin Danza hailed the importance of the deal in boosting the development of rugby union in the country. He said: “Now a person in any of the country’s states can turn on the television and will be able to see the Brazilian national rugby team, take an interest in the sport and the next day look for a club in their region.”
The Torneio Sul-Americano de Rugby XV is competed for by Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay. Brazil is set to be the focal point of a piece of history for the sport later this year as rugby sevens makes it entrance onto the programme for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.