Singapore-based Coliseum Sports Media has secured multiple digital rights for its OTT platform RugbyPass.
The service will show Aviva Premiership Rugby, Premiership Rugby 7s series, Anglo-Welsh Cup as well as the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Championship across Asia.
Launched in Asia in February 2016, RugbyPass offers rugby fans across 23 Asian markets rugby action as well as bespoke highlights packages, preview and review shows in HD across any internet or app-enabled device.
RugbyPass will screen every game in the four British competitions, starting with Premiership Rugby 7s series in late July and Aviva Premiership Rugby in early September. This is followed by the Anglo- Welsh Cup in November and the RBS 6 Nations Championship kicking-off in January 2017.
“Global rugby leaders are embracing the digital opportunity in Asia as we head towards the next Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019,” said RugbyPass CEO, Tim Martin.
“We are witnessing a boom in the popularity of the sport in Asia referenced by World Rugby’s deal with Alibaba, the return of Singapore to the World Rugby Sevens circuit, the inclusion of 7s in this year’s Olympics, and the inclusion of Japan’s Sunwolves in this year’s Super Rugby competition. At the same time, OTT technology is driving unprecedented access to the game.
“RugbyPass is playing its part by helping the game reach new audiences for the first time while meeting the needs of the traditional fan. RugbyPass is the only place to watch every Aviva Premiership game and the exclusive rights holder for the Autumn Internationals and the 2017 Six Nations Championship, taking the game to more potential viewers than ever before.
“RugbyPass has now established a firm foothold in the sports OTT market as the home of British rugby across Asia, delivering every game to new and traditional rugby fans live or on demand.”