Fox Sports and Network 10 secure broadcast/streaming rights to 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan

Fox Sports and Network 10 have secured broadcast and streaming rights to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which will be held later this year in Japan

As part of the agreement, Australian Free-To-Air viewers can watch 10 games from the Rugby World Cup live and free on Network 10 and 10 Play.

10’s rights include all of the Wallabies’ pool matches, all four Quarter Finals, both Semi-Finals, the Bronze Final for 3rd place and the Final.

Foxtel’s Fox Sports has secured the streaming and broadcast rights to all matches of the tournament which will be made available LIVE and ad-break free during play on a dedicated channel and, for the first time, LIVE in 4K Ultra HD for Foxtel sports subscribers.

The Rugby World Cup 2019 will be held in Japan from September 20 to November 2 meaning that matches are scheduled in prime viewing times for Australian audiences.

Fox Sports will live stream and broadcast all 48 matches of the tournament. This will include all Wallabies matches, and Finals.

In another first, Kayo Sports will also stream Fox Sports’ live coverage to its subscribers and all matches will be available to stream on-demand.

Fox Sports’ coverage will be broadcast on a dedicated Rugby World Cup channel, which will include match previews, daily highlights, review programs, archive matches from previous Rugby World Cup tournaments and analysis from the best commentators in the business.

In addition to the World Cup, Fox Sports will also continue broadcasting Super Rugby, The Rugby Championship, The Bledisloe Cup, NRC and HSBC Sevens Series, while beIN Sports broadcasts The Six Nations Championship and Eurosport broadcasts Top 14 Rugby from France. 

World Rugby Chairman, Bill Beaumont, welcomed the new deal saying:

“We are delighted to be welcoming Fox Sports as rights holding broadcasters for Rugby World Cup 2019. They are long-standing supporters of rugby in Australia, broadcast innovators and with all of the big matches being shown in prime-time slots, will be a destination for Australian sports fans in September, October and November.”

“Free-to-air access is important to World Rugby’s desire to make rugby and Rugby World Cup as accessible as possible to rugby fans and new audiences alike. This deal will guarantee unprecedented access to Asia’s first Rugby World Cup and a tournament that promises to be the most competitive to date.”

Network 10’s chief executive officer Paul Anderson said:

“The 2019 Rugby World Cup is one of the biggest international sporting events of the year and the crown jewel in the rugby calendar. As the long-time home of Australian rugby, we’re super excited that we can continue to bring coverage of this great game to Australians live and free, wherever and however they choose to watch it.”

Head of Fox Sports Peter Campbell said:

“The Rugby World Cup 2019 is the biggest sports event this year and the only place to see all 48 games LIVE and ad-break free during play is on Fox Sports.

“And we will create history with every Rugby World Cup 2019 game available to Foxtel sports subscribers and exclusively LIVE in 4K Ultra HD – this will provide a stunning viewing experience like never before for sports fans.

“The modern Australian sports fan has a rich tapestry of background and heritage. Whether supporting the Wallabies or the All Blacks, England, Italy, South Africa, the USA, Fiji, or Tonga and beyond, our coverage will be for all fans no matter who you support. A global event like the Rugby World Cup 2019 is for all, irrespective of our backgrounds or sports’ code allegiance.”

The 2019 Rugby World Cup will be played in Japan from Friday 20 September until Saturday 2 November.