The Guinness PRO14 has inked a deal with eir Sport to broadcast every game for the next three years from the 2018/19 season.
The partnership means that for the first time in the Republic of Ireland, rugby supporters can watch all 152 games a season and effectively consolidates eir sport’s position as a key player in the broadcasting of rugby as subscribers to eir sport can watch all of the European Champions Cup, which will only be available via the eir sport pack from next season, the U-20 World Championships, the Leinster Senior School Cups. In addition it will also broadcast the 2019 Rugby World Cup from Japan.
eir sport has also entered into a sub-licencing agreement with TG4, allowing the Irish language broadcaster access to a select number of games.
Martin Anayi, CEO, PRO14 Rugby, said: “The arrival of eir sport alongside Premier Sports in the UK will be a game-changer for the Guinness PRO14. It is another bold step in raising our Championship to new levels and unlocking its vast potential. eir sport will take the broadcast experience of the Guinness PRO14 to levels that our fans have never seen before. We share their commitment to innovation and we know eir sport will look at our games in a brand-new light with sharp analysis backed up by savvy insights from the characters who know what it’s like to compete in our Championship. The bidding for broadcast rights in the Irish market showed us just how much interest there is in the Guinness PRO14 since our expansion into South Africa. eir sport’s bid was impossible to turn down due to the unprecedented support they will provide across every area of the Guinness PRO14 – on and off the pitch.”
According Dermot Rigley, commercial and marketing director, PRO14 Rugby: “The vision eir sport has for the Guinness PRO14 is going to smash all previous expectations for our teams and their supporters. The production standards will be like nothing ever seen before in the Guinness PRO14 with up to 10 High Definition cameras capturing the action at every game. With pitchside presentations and on-field interviews, it’s all part of eir sport’s and our own goal of bringing fans closer to the game.”