TV3’s Rugby World Cup Rights Deal Is Announced
TV3 has announce that it has won the Irish rights to broadcast the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The announcement was made by both TV3 and Rugby World Cup Limited at a press conference in Dublin earlier today.
Under the terms of the deal, TV3 will manage the broadcast of live coverage of all 48 Rugby Worl Cup matches and will also deliver a TV, digital and mobile highlights offering.
All of the Ireland games and final stages of the tournament will be broadcast free to air.
TV3, as the broadcaster with the most advanced HD infrastructure in Ireland, is currently in discussion with platform operators to carry TV3 HD from mid-2015.
Niall Cogley, TV3 Group Director of Broadcasting, will be the executive producer of TV3’s 2015 Rugby World Cup coverage.
The tournament takes place in England and Wales from September 18 to October 31, 2015.
TV3 Group CEO David McRedmond said: “TV3 is honoured to have been awarded these prestigious rights by the International Rugby Board. We are quite sure that the Rugby World Cup will be the stand out sporting event in 2015, which will anchor our 2015 autumn schedule.
“Rugby following in Ireland is at an all-time high following successes in the Heineken Cup and most recently the success of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland team in the Six Nations.
“As Ireland’s leading commercial broadcaster, TV3 is building its strongest ever schedule of originated programming.
“The Rugby World Cup win is an endorsement of the strategy to invest in the most relevant content for Irish audiences and advertisers.”
Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset commented: “Ireland has traditionally been a strong and passionate rugby market and we are delighted to be appointing a broadcaster that shares our passion for sport and our showcase event.
“TV3 has played a leading role in the promotion of sport in Ireland and we are excited by their innovative plans to broadcast the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“We look forward to working in partnership to deliver an exciting experience for sports fans in Ireland.”
Niall Cogley added: “If Ireland can beat Canada, Romania and Italy in the opening games, we’ll play France in Cardiff on October 11 for the privilege of avoiding New Zealand in the quarter-final.
“With Joe Schmidt’s now legendary attention to detail, we like to imagine that Ireland’s first ever involvement in a Rugby World Cup semi-final is a real possibility next year.
“TV3’s recent investment in one of the most advanced HD Studios in these islands and the replacement of core technology will allow TV3 to show the World Cup at its best. Over the coming year we will build the best rugby broadcast team to delight our viewers.”
Detailed plans for TV3’s coverage are now advancing. It is expected that the broadcaster will show about 20 matches on TV3 and the remainder on 3e although TV3 has not ruled out some sub-licenses to other Irish broadcasters.
Announcements regarding studio, commentary and touchline broadcast teams will be made in due course. TV3 also confirmed that it is in discussions with respective platforms regarding the launch of TV3 HD in the first half of 2015.