World Rugby, the global governing body of rugby union, has launched the tender process for the appointment of host broadcast services for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Companies wishing to receive the expression of interest document can apply by sending an email to: RWC2019HostBroadcasting@worldrugby.org.
A shortlist of companies will be selected from the expression of interest process to move forward to a full host broadcaster tender that will be independently managed and run on behalf of World Rugby by industry expert Tony Sinclair.
The host broadcast rights will be awarded in March 2016.
“Following a full review of broadcast operation strategy undertaken prior to England 2015 with the objective of keeping Rugby World Cup at the cutting edge of sports broadcasting innovation, the international federation will, for the first time, be taking control of the host broadcast output for its showcase event, working with a broadcast partner to deliver the world feed,” World Rugby said.
The recently-completed Rugby World Cup in England reached 780m homes – a record for the tournament.