TV3 wins rights to Rugby World Cup 2015

TV3 has won the rights to broadcast live coverage of all 48 matches in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, it was confirmed this morning.

The announcement was made by both TV3 and Rugby World Cup Limited at a press conference in Dublin. Under the terms of the deal, TV3 will manage the broadcast of live coverage of all 48 matches and will also deliver a TV, digital and mobile highlights offering.

All of the matches involving Ireland and the final stages of the tournament will be broadcast free-to-air.

The tournament takes place in England and Wales from September 18th to October 31st , next year.

TV3 chief executive David McRedmond said: "TV3 is honoured to have been awarded these prestigious rights by the International Rugby Board. We are quite sure that Rugby World Cup will be the stand out sporting event in 2015, which will anchor our 2015 Autumn Schedule.

“As Ireland’s leading commercial broadcaster TV3 is building its strongest ever schedule of originated programming. The Rugby World Cup win is an endorsement of the strategy to invest in the most relevant content for Irish audiences and advertisers,” Mr McRedmond said.

Rugby World Cup Limited chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "Ireland has traditionally been a strong and passionate rugby market and we are delighted to be appointing a broadcaster that shares our passion for sport and our showcase event.

“ We look forward to working in partnership to deliver an exciting experience for sports fans in Ireland,” he added.

TV3 director of broadcasting, Niall Cogley said: "If Ireland can beat Canada, Romania and Italy in the opening games, we'll play France in Cardiff on October 11th for the privilege of avoiding New Zealand in the quarter-final. With Joe Schmidt's now legendary attention to detail, we like to imagine that Ireland's first ever involvement in a Rugby World Cup semi-final is a real possibility next year."

Te broadcaster will broadcast about 20 matches on TV3 and the remainder on 3e although TV3 has not ruled out some sub-licences to other Irish broadcasters. Announcements regarding studio, commentary and touchline broadcast teams will be made in due course, the station said.