Rugby Union
NZME lands audio rights to Rugby World Cup
New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) has acquired audio broadcasting rights for this year’s Rugby World Cup, which will take place in France.
BBC retains exclusive Rugby World Cup audio rights
The BBC, the UK's public-service broadcaster, has acquired exclusive audio rights to this year's Rugby World Cup in France
Lions continue commercial JV approach for 2025 Australia tour
The British & Irish Lions have opted to extend their approach to commercialising the team’s overseas tours by entering into a joint venture with Rugby Australia.
Sky NZ to show free-to-air Rugby World Cup coverage on Prime
Pay-television broadcaster Sky New Zealand will broadcast 12 matches from this year’s Rugby World Cup on its free-to-air channel Prime.
TVMS to distribute Rugby Africa broadcast rights in four-year deal
The TV Media Sport agency has been appointed to distribute broadcast rights on behalf of Rugby Africa, the continental governing body
RTÉ, Virgin Media team up again to land Rugby World Cup rights
Irish public-service broadcaster RTÉ and telecoms operator Virgin Media have acquired rights to this year’s men’s Rugby World Cup, which will take place in France.
France Télévisions’ peak audience tops 9m for record Twickenham defeat
France’s record-breaking Six Nations win over England on Saturday attracted a peak audience of 9.2 million viewers on French public-service television.
Ocean to show Premiership Rugby out-of-home clips
Premiership Rugby has entered into an agreement with media company Ocean Outdoor, which will broadcast highlights of matches on large-format digital out-of-home screens
Experienced broadcast executive Raynaud named permanent EPCR chief
European Professional Club Rugby has named Jacques Raynaud as its new chief executive following what it described as an “extensive and rigorous global search”.
Free-to-air and pay-TV mix retained in Japan’s Rugby World Cup TV deals
Broadcast rights to the Rugby World Cup have once again been split in Japan across free-to-air and pay television in deals for this year’s tournament with NHK, Nippon TV and J Sports.
France rugby test matches move from France Télévisions to TF1
Commercial broadcaster TF1 has secured rights to show France's build-up matches prior to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, along with France's autumn internationals in both 2024 and 2025
TF1 sublicenses 2023 RWC rights to France Télévisions, M6
TF1 has agreed a sublicensing deal with fellow French commercial broadcaster M6 and public-service broadcaster France Télévisions for rights to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which France is hosting from S…
Japan’s Rugby League One reports financial surplus in first year
Japan's revamped rugby union league, Rugby League One, has reported revenue of 3.3bn yen ($25m/€23m) and a surplus of 270m yen ($2m/€1.9m) in its first financial year.
Sponsorship revenue generated 2.1bn
Eleven adds Challenge Cup to Italian rugby portfolio
Streaming platform Eleven Italy has acquired domestic rights to European club rugby union tournament the Challenge Cup
EPCR tournaments shown in over 100 countries following Infront, River Media deals
Infront and River Media Partners have distributed broadcast rights for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup to broadcasters spanning over 100 countries ahead of the start of the new season tonight
BeIN sees off Premier challenge to retain Rugby World Cup in Southeast Asia
BeIN Sports fought off competition from rugby-focused Premier Sports Asia to renew its rights in Southeast Asia for the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2023.
Sky NZ lands rights to EPCR competitions
Pay-television broadcaster Sky New Zealand has agreed a multi-year deal with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) for rights to the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions
Premier Sports adds EPCR rights to Southeast Asian rugby offering
Subscription broadcaster Premier Sports has further strengthened its rugby union coverage in Southeast Asia by agreeing a two-season rights deal for European club competitions the Champions Cup and Challenge…