The IRFU has signed a relationship with Pitch International for the sale of broadcast rights to Irish international matches outside Ireland and the UK until 2018.
The move is seen as a boost for Irish fans living abroad who will be able to see live action from matches across a variety of international markets.
Pitch International recently added a similar deal for Scotland games to its existing and extended partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union.
“With our extensive experience of distributing major rugby properties we look to further enhance the value of the IRFU’s media rights over the course of the new term,” said Jon Owen of Pitch International.
“The IRFU is pleased to announce our partnership with Pitch International as it will enable the growing number of Irish fans around the world to keep up with the progress of the national team,” added IRFU Marketing Director Padraig Power.
The signing and distribution of TV broadcast rights were the principal reason behind changes to the structure of European Rugby where matches are now split between BT Sport and Sky Sports.
TV3 has won the exclusive broadcast rights in Ireland for next year’s Rugby World Cup while RTÉ Sport retains the broadcast rights here for matches in the RBS Six Nations.
Games within the Ulster Bank League are being streamed live over the internet this season in an expansion of arrangements from last year and the growth in demand for the rights to show matched is driven by the ad and subscriber revenue that live sport continues to attract.
Join a list of top class international speakers at Digital Sport and Sponsorship 2014 on November 27th. Find out more and avail of an early bird booking rate until tonight right here.
