ITV picks up Rugby World Cup rights ITV has secured the UK broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and host broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England, following stiff competition from BSkyB The terrestrial broadcaster won the pitch against Sky and three unknown broadcast competitors for the rights. According to sources close to the deal, the contract is worth roughly twice as much as ITV’s last £30m contract for the 2003 and 2007 World Cup tournaments. An IMG spokesman, commenting on the contract’s doubled value, said: "Obviously the fact that 2015 will be hosted in the UK makes this a very attractive contract. Also, the competitive nature of the bidding process this year is symbolic of how the global profile of rugby has grown over the last decade and reflective of the stature of the sport." The terms of the new deal, subject to contract, mean ITV will air live coverage of every match from both 2011 and 2015 tournaments, while also being shown online at ITV.com. The deal also includes highlights and clips packages on television, online and mobile. ITV has broadcast every tournament since 1991. In 2007, a UK audience of 16 million viewers watched England place second in the Rugby World Cup held in France, while in 2003 15 million tuned in to see England win the tournament. The seventh Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off 9 September and is expected to have an international audience of over four billion. Source: Media Week Published on: 29/07/2010 11:44:00

ITV picks up Rugby World Cup rights

ITV has secured the UK broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and host broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England, following stiff competition from BSkyB

The terrestrial broadcaster won the pitch against Sky and three unknown broadcast competitors for the rights. According to sources close to the deal, the contract is worth roughly twice as much as ITV’s last £30m contract for the 2003 and 2007 World Cup tournaments.

An IMG spokesman, commenting on the contract’s doubled value, said: "Obviously the fact that 2015 will be hosted in the UK makes this a very attractive contract. Also, the competitive nature of the bidding process this year is symbolic of how the global profile of rugby has grown over the last decade and reflective of the stature of the sport."

The terms of the new deal, subject to contract, mean ITV will air live coverage of every match from both 2011 and 2015 tournaments, while also being shown online at ITV.com. The deal also includes highlights and clips packages on television, online and mobile.

ITV has broadcast every tournament since 1991. In 2007, a UK audience of 16 million viewers watched England place second in the Rugby World Cup held in France, while in 2003 15 million tuned in to see England win the tournament.

The seventh Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off 9 September and is expected to have an international audience of over four billion.

Source: Media Week

Published on: 29/07/2010 11:44:00

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