IMG Media Secures Rights For 2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 18-match tournament will take place in multiple locations across Australia from 25 October 2008, finishing at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 22 November.
Ten nations will vie for the trophy, including Australia, New Zealand, England, France, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga who have already qualified.
IMG Media, the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming, is distributing the international rights to all 18 matches. The deal includes all broadcast rights including terrestrial, satellite, cable, CCTV, mobile and VOD, with live coverage of each game available.
Its sports production arm TWI is also producing daily and overall highlights of the matches, as well as producing and distributing a new media package.
Michael Mellor, Head of IMG Media, Asia Pacific, said (suggested): “We are delighted to be working with the RLIF on what promises to be one of the most keenly-fought and eagerly-anticipated sporting events in 2008. We are confident that with IMG Media’s unparalleled worldwide sales network and expertise, and our strength and depth particularly on the ground in the Asian-Pacific area, we will be able to raise the profile of both the sport and the tournament in new territories, and develop even bigger audiences.”
Colin Love, RLIF and Australian Rugby League Chairman, said: "Our desire is to distribute the coverage as widely as possible to further enhance the audience and reputation of the Game and we are delighted to be represented by the leading sports marketing, production and distribution organisation in the world, IMG Media, to achieve our ambitions.”
IMG Media is the content production and distribution arm of the world’s leading sports, entertainment and media company IMG. Nine Network are screening coverage in Australia, where the event marks the Centenary of Rugby League in the country.