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Rugby news: ITV awarded 2011/15 UK rights
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UK commercial broadcaster ITV beat off competition from four rival broadcasters to win the TV rights for the Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015, it was announced yesterday.
Under the terms of the deal, which is subject to contract, ITV will broadcast all live matches from the tournaments in 2011 (New Zealand) and 2015 (England) on its TV and internet platforms. In addition highlights and clips packages on will be shown on TV, online and mobile. ITV has broadcast every rugby World Cup tournament since 1991. During the 2003 tournament its audience peaked at 15 million viewers on ITV1 as Jonny Wilkinson’s dramatic extra-time drop goal secured England the trophy. In 2007 16 million saw England finish runners up to South Africa in France. “ITV has a long association with Rugby World Cup and we are delighted to have secured the next two Rugby World Cups free-to-air for ITV’s viewers, particularly as the 2015 tournament takes place in England,” said Niall Sloane, ITV Controller of Sport. “Rugby World Cup has provided some of sport’s most iconic television moments of recent decades and – alongside live coverage of the FIFA World Cup, England football internationals, UEFA Champions League and The FA Cup – it is a key part of ITV1’s commitment to high quality live sport.” |
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