SANZAR, THE GOVERNING body that runs the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship, has agreed a fresh five-year deal to show games under its remit to a European audience through Sky Sports.
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Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
Sky have long been associated with the showing the early morning kick-offs in this part of the world. However, the ever-increasing competition from BT Sport – who now share rights to the European Champions Cup and have taken over rights for the Aviva Premiership – make a new Sanzar deal an important cornerstone for Sky.
The rights include more than just the Rugby Championship fixtures, but the full package of southern hemisphere rugby including Super Rugby, Currie Cup, ITM Cups and, perhaps most importantly, the summer tours ‘down under’.
Having secured the 2017 Lions tour last year, Sky now strengthen their hold on summer rugby with South Africa hosting Ireland and England in 2016 and 2018 respectively and Wales travelling to New Zealand next summer.
Inception
“This deal offers our viewers more of the world’s best teams that have entertained rugby fans with their impressive performances throughout the Rugby World Cup,” says Sky Sports managing director barney Francis, while Sanzar chairman Mark Alexander focused on the length of the relationship between the parties.
“Sanzar is delighted to be renewing its broadcasting deal with Sky Sports that has been our valued partner for the past 20 years since the inception of professional rugby in 1996.
“We have a very strong fan base in the United Kingdom and Ireland and it is important for us that they can see as much Sanzar content as possible.”
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SANZAR, THE GOVERNING body that runs the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship, has agreed a fresh five-year deal to show games under its remit to a European audience through Sky Sports.
Sky have long been associated with the showing the early morning kick-offs in this part of the world. However, the ever-increasing competition from BT Sport – who now share rights to the European Champions Cup and have taken over rights for the Aviva Premiership – make a new Sanzar deal an important cornerstone for Sky.
The rights include more than just the Rugby Championship fixtures, but the full package of southern hemisphere rugby including Super Rugby, Currie Cup, ITM Cups and, perhaps most importantly, the summer tours ‘down under’.
Having secured the 2017 Lions tour last year, Sky now strengthen their hold on summer rugby with South Africa hosting Ireland and England in 2016 and 2018 respectively and Wales travelling to New Zealand next summer.
Inception
“This deal offers our viewers more of the world’s best teams that have entertained rugby fans with their impressive performances throughout the Rugby World Cup,” says Sky Sports managing director barney Francis, while Sanzar chairman Mark Alexander focused on the length of the relationship between the parties.
“Sanzar is delighted to be renewing its broadcasting deal with Sky Sports that has been our valued partner for the past 20 years since the inception of professional rugby in 1996.
“We have a very strong fan base in the United Kingdom and Ireland and it is important for us that they can see as much Sanzar content as possible.”
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