Other website sections

»Sports Market Reports

»Sports Jobs

»Tenders

»Directory

»Conferences

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has announced that SKY Television New Zealand will be the Host Broadcaster for all matches of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Under the deal, SKY will work with Rugby World Cup Limited to produce comprehensive coverage of all 48 matches, for distribution to RWCL’s broadcast partners around the world, with every game originating in high definition.

"Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted to be working with SKY Television New Zealand. SKY NZ is a proven world leader in Rugby broadcasting. The appointment is wonderful news for Rugby fans in New Zealand who will be able to see every RWC 2011 match live,” said Rugby World Cup Limited Managing Director Mike Miller.

“The appointment of the Host Broadcaster is a major element of the delivery of a world-class sporting event and we are confident that SKY NZ’s professionalism, in-depth Rugby knowledge and high level of production skills will enhance the enjoyment of what promises to be a spectacular tournament for billions of fans around the world.”

RWC 2007 set new tournament broadcast standards and was screened in over 200 countries, reaching four billion people and SKY NZ are looking forward to playing their part in the delivery of what is the world’s third largest sporting event.

“We are honoured to have been appointed and I am confident that we will deliver excellent coverage of all the games, which will be seen by an estimated four billion television viewers worldwide. SKY is excited to be involved in what promises to be the biggest sporting event ever to be staged in New Zealand and will deliver live coverage of all 48 Rugby World Cup games to its subscribers,” said SKY Television New Zealand Chief Executive John Fellet.

“To undertake the role of Host Broadcaster is also an exciting challenge and a testament to the knowledge and operational skills that our production teams have shown in their coverage of national and international sports events since SKY began broadcasting in New Zealand in May 1990."

SKY NZ will enhance its coverage by broadcasting every match on its SKY Sports Channels and the Rugby Channel, and will also offer a comprehensive number of replays of every match, along with a number of Rugby World Cup-related productions. It will also provide an International Broadcast Centre in Auckland for other licensed broadcasters to process RWC footage.

In addition to the deal with SKY NZ, RWCL will look to licence simultaneous free-to-air broadcast in New Zealand of up to 16 matches, including the opening match and knock-out matches. Through this additional offering, RWCL aims to provide the New Zealand public with the largest amount of free-to-air international Rugby coverage seen since RWC 2007.

RWCL is committed to ensuring that all New Zealanders have the opportunity to watch top class international Rugby during each Rugby World Cup. RWCL is currently in discussion with broadcasters with regard to these rights.

(Source: IRB)