Record TV Coverage of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009

The International Rugby Board has announced that Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 will surpass all previous Sevens tournament TV broadcast records.

The broadcast-friendly showpiece event in Dubai, which will break new ground with the inclusion for the first time of a 16-team women’s tournament running alongside the 24-team men’s competition, will be screened in 140 countries through 25 international broadcasters.

With the competition promising to be intense, highlighted by the most competitive start to an IRB Sevens World Series in a decade, Rugby fans around the world will be treated to over 380 hours of live, delayed and highlights coverage.

In the USA, rugby fans can watch the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens on the Setanta Sports TV Channel, simulcast on Setanta Broadband, as well as catch it live and on-demand through www.rwcsevens.com.

Setanta Sports TV - available in homes and in bars - will broadcast Rugby World Cup Sevens coverage live on March 5, 6 and 7 (including the Women's Final on Saturday, March 7). For full listings please visit www.setanta.com/us.

RWC Sevens LIVE will offer live coverage from all men's and women's matches on the main pitch in Dubai, as well as on-demand coverage from pitch two. For $19.99 fans can watch all three days of action, while there is also a separate Final Day Pass for only $9.99. Fans can sign up now by going to www.rwcsevens.com.

“Rugby Sevens continues to be a hit with television broadcasters around the world. Its unique blend of explosive action, world-class players and highly-competitive format packaged in matches of fourteen minutes, has proven successful in reaching out to new young audiences, sponsors and broadcasters. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 looks set to raise the bar once more,” said Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“These record broadcast figures mean that more people than ever before will have the opportunity to experience Rugby Sevens at its thrilling and spectacular best, furthering the promotion of Sevens to the world sporting community as the IRB reaches out for the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games.”

The the 2007/08 Series was the most successful to date, televised in 135 countries by 33 international broadcasters, reaching 223 million homes in 13 different languages.



Taken from USA Rugby.