Getty Images
Public service broadcaster RTE and telecommunications company Virgin Media have acquired the Irish rights to the France 2023 Rugby World Cup, World Rugby has confirmed.
Contract:
- All 48 matches will broadcast free-to-air (FTA) on RTE’s linear channels, RTE Player video on demand (VoD) service, Virgin TV and Virgin Player streaming platform
- World Cup final will air on both RTE and Virgin Media
- RTE has also obtained live radio rights for the showpiece international rugby union tournament
Context:
RTE and Virgin Media also share FTA domestic rights to the Six Nations, through a broadcast rights agreement signed ahead of last year’s competition.
Now defunct pay-TV network Eir Sport held the Irish rights to the previous edition of the Rugby World Cup in 2019, for which RTE acquired rights to air 14 matches, including all of Ireland’s group stage fixtures.
Comment:
“We are delighted that RTE and Virgin Media will be telling every moment of the France 2023 story on their free-to-air platforms,” said Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby.
“They share our passion for rugby and its ability to attract new audiences and we look forward to working together to make this tournament a tournament to remember.”
Coming next:
After securing this year’s Six Nations title, Ireland will be one of the favourites heading into this year’s Rugby World Cup when it gets underway in September. With a more friendly timezone than the last tournament in Japan, the 2023 event in France could draw record audiences.
