RugbyPass Secures OTT Rights in Asia for British Games

SINGAPORE: OTT hub RugbyPass has clinched the digital rights for several tournaments, among them Aviva Premiership Rugby and the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Through the deal, RugbyPass will screen every game in four British competitions, starting with Premiership Rugby 7s series in late July and Aviva Premiership Rugby in early September. These will be followed by the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November and the RBS 6 Nations Championship in January 2017.

Launched in Asia this February by Singapore-based Coliseum Sports Media, the OTT service offers rugby fans across 23 Asian markets a single source to watch rugby as well as bespoke highlights packages, and preview and review shows in high definition.

“Global rugby leaders are embracing the digital opportunity in Asia as we head toward the next Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019,” says RugbyPass CEO Tim Martin. “We are witnessing a boom in the popularity of the sport in Asia referenced by World Rugby’s deal with Alibaba, the return of Singapore to the World Rugby Sevens circuit, the inclusion of 7s in this year’s Olympics, and the inclusion of Japan’s Sunwolves in this year’s Super Rugby competition. At the same time, OTT technology is driving unprecedented access to the game.”

Martin continued: “RugbyPass is playing its part by helping the game reach new audiences for the first time while meeting the needs of the traditional fan. RugbyPass is the only place to watch every Aviva Premiership game and the exclusive rights holder for the Autumn Internationals and the 2017 Six Nations Championship, taking the game to more potential viewers than ever before.”