ESPN Star Sports Renews Rugby World Cup

SINGAPORE: ESPN STAR Sports has renewed its broadcast rights to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, to air in September and October across Asia.

ESPN Star Sports will broadcast all 48 matches across six weeks in New Zealand’s North and South Islands. They will air live in Singapore, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Korea, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Vietnam. The 2011 tournament begins September 9 through October 23.

“We are delighted to bring the third largest sporting event in the world to rugby fans across Asia,” said Manu Sawhney, the managing director of ESPN STAR Sports. “We have a proud history of having showcased every RWC tournament since 1999, which underscores our commitment to bring the best in worldwide sports to our viewers in Asia.”

Mike Miller, the managing director of Rugby World Cup, added, “Asia is a major growth region for Rugby and the IRB is committed to ensuring that sports fans across the Region are able to experience our showcase event. ESPN STAR Sports is recognized as Asia’s leading sports broadcaster and through extensive Rugby World Cup 2011 programming, it will deliver the platform for rugby to reach out to new fans across the region.”