Rugby Union
Pitch returns to RFU’s table through Sky partnership
The Pitch International agency has agreed a deal with UK pay-television broadcaster Sky under which the two companies will market the English national rugby union team’s international rights.
StarHub extends pay-TV reach with new OTT platform
Singaporean telecommunications company StarHub has launched a new online streaming service that will offer access to sports content provided via its pay-television operation.
Sky New Zealand launches fan pass services, seeks late cricket tour deal
Pay-television broadcaster Sky New Zealand has introduced new daily and weekly services to access its sports channels, adding it is hopeful of striking a late deal to cover the national cricket team’s tour of South Africa.
ARU set to seal bumper rights deal – report
The Australian Rugby Union is close to unveiling a new long-term rights deal with pay-television broadcaster Fox Sports and commercial broadcaster Ten that will give the sport a bigger free-to-air presence in the country, according to The Australian.
Universal Sports to launch digital service for Rugby World Cup
US pay-television sports broadcaster Universal Sports Network will launch a new digital streaming pay-per-view service for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in England.
Coliseum targets overseas expansion
New Zealand-based digital sports broadcaster Coliseum Sports Media has outlined plans to launch in overseas markets next year.
RDA TV, Altice swoop for Premiership Rugby’s international rights
Premiership Rugby, the organising body for the top division of club rugby union in England, has signed a new international rights deal with the RDA TV agency and multinational telco Altice.
Pay-TV premium not enough to stop free-to-air team-up
The Six Nations Committee bucked the trend when awarding its UK rights earlier this month, opting for wide coverage from free-to-air broadcasters and leaving pay-television money on the table.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From July 9 to 22
Media rights clips from July 9 to 22
Rai strikes deals for Pro12 and domestic rugby competition
Italian state broadcaster Rai has reached an agreement with the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) to show games from the Pro12 European club tournament and the Eccellenza, the top division of Italian club rugby union.
BBC Wales and S4C to show Rugby World Cup warm-up matches
Public-service broadcaster BBC Wales and Welsh-language channel S4C have secured broadcast and online rights to Wales’ warm-up games for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
BBC secures England rugby highlights in RFU deal
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has reached a five-year agreement with the Rugby Football Union to show highlights from all of England’s autumn international Test matches.
Italian federation hails Discovery’s ‘excellent’ support
The Italian rugby federation said this week its recent deals covering domestic and international rights will help the game continue to develop at home and abroad, while providing financial security for the sport in Italy.
Alfredo Gavazzi, president, Federazione Italiana Rugby
Interview with Alfredo Gavazzi, president of the Federazione Italiana Rugby, on the Italian rugby federation’s recent domestic and international rights deals.
ITV enters Six Nations fray under BBC rights sharing deal
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC and commercial broadcaster ITV have agreed a new six-year deal under which they will share rights to the Six Nations from next year’s edition of the national team rugby union tournament.
BBC teams up with ITV for Six Nations bid
UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has teamed up with commercial broadcaster ITV to submit a joint bid for the rights to the Six Nations rugby union national team tournament.
Liberty Global swoops for Ireland’s TV3
Telecommunications firm UPC Ireland, a wholly-owned subsidiary of media company Liberty Global, has entered into an agreement with British private equity fund manager Doughty Hanson to acquire Irish commercial broadcaster TV3.
ITV to tackle World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge
UK commercial broadcaster ITV has secured rights to the inaugural World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge, which takes place in London later this year.