Seven Secures Oz Rights for Rugby League World Cup 2017 Coverage

SYDNEY: Australia’s Seven Network has closed an agreement for all-encompassing coverage of the Rugby League World Cup, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand next year.

The deal delivers all rights in Australia, including free-to-air broadcast television and subscription television rights, and expands to Seven’s digital and mobile platforms. Seven has also been appointed to undertake the host broadcast for international television of all games played in Australia in the Rugby League World Cup 2017.

The network previously aired coverage of the 2013 games. Next year’s tournament will take place from October 27 to December 2.

Michael Brown, the CEO of Rugby League World Cup 2017, said: “The Seven Network is widely renowned as a leader in sports broadcasting and the Rugby League World Cup 2017 Organizing Committee is excited by the opportunities that this partnership presents to both the tournament and the sport as a whole. Seven will broadcast live and free all 28 games, using all their expertise to showcase international Rugby League to Australian households like never before. The Rugby League World Cup 2017 will be the greatest sporting event in Australia next year and we look forward to working with Seven to deliver an event that will entertain the world, inspire communities and celebrate Rugby League.”

Tim Worner, the managing director and CEO of Seven West Media, said: “We’re delighted to be the home of the Rugby League World Cup. We are looking forward to working with them. Our securing of the Cup is yet another step in our development as we build the platforms to create our future. The Rugby League World Cup delivers our business an extraordinary opportunity to drive home our leadership as we broadcast the AFL Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup, the Rugby League World Cup, the Australian Open, the Olympic Winter Games and the Commonwealth Games across late 2017 and early 2018.”

Seven West Media Chief Revenue Officer Kurt Burnette remarked: “We could not be happier to have Rugby League here on Seven. The partnership with the Rugby League World Cup will see us not only create the global television coverage but also undertake the most far-reaching and expansive coverage of the Cup across television and connected devices. We are looking forward to being a partner with the Rugby League World Cup. It will be a remarkable event. And broadcast live in our prime time.”