2015 Rugby World Cup to Stream Online in the U.S.

LOS ANGELES: Universal Sports Network and NBC Sports Group have unveiled a multiplatform coverage strategy in the U.S. for next year’s IRB Rugby World Cup.

From September 19 through October 31, 2015, all of the tournament’s 48 matches will launch live on a pay-per-view basis from leading cable, satellite and IPTV providers. Streaming and on-demand access to the games will be available exclusively at Universal Sports’ website as a subscription offering.

The companies will also broadcast nine of the tournament’s matches, including the final live from London. Coverage will feature a studio pregame show plus halftime and post-game shows, in addition to other production enhancements.

“The Rugby World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and we are excited to showcase it to an American audience,” said Scott Brown, the president of Universal Sports Network. “Interest in the sport of rugby has never been higher, and with unprecedented coverage across multiple platforms, both longstanding and new fans of the sport will be able to follow every minute of the action from England.”

“We’re proud to present live coverage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup to a national audience,” said Jon Miller, the president of programming for NBC Sports and NBCSN. “The 2015 Rugby World Cup Final on NBC will serve as a great platform for the continued growth [of] one of the world’s most popular sports.”

IRB Chief Executive Brett Gosper added, “Rugby is taking off in the U.S., and we are excited to be partnering with Universal Sports Network to broadcast our Rugby World Cup 2015 tournament across the country. Through Universal Sports’ and NBC’s superb production values, extensive broadcast and digital platforms and passion for sport, I am sure that more Americans than ever before will interact with and be inspired by Rugby.

“With one year to go until the Final, we are confident that Rugby World Cup 2015 will be a very special, record-breaking global celebration of Rugby that will reach, engage and inspire new audiences around the world. It really will be too big to miss.”