The first World Rugby TV show looks ahead to the Six Nations and the upcoming men’s and women’s sevens series

  • New 'World Rugby' TV show to air first on Thursday 5 February 
  • Engage Sports Media (ESM) to produce new World Rugby content hub to power digital and broadcast output 
  • World Rugby selects Engage Sports Media video platform 

World Rugby has announced the launch of its new broadcast programme World Rugby, which sits at the heart of a new and innovative content strategy designed to reach out, engage and inspire new audiences worldwide. 

Produced by Engage Sports Media (ESM) as part of a new exclusive multi-year deal with rugby's global federation, the World Rugby TV show replaces the long-established and well respected 'Total Rugby' and will air in 180 countries on over 20 leading sports broadcasters for the first time on Thursday 5 February, 2015. 

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Now running 52 weeks a year, World Rugby TV will showcase the finest international rugby action in both the 15-a-side game and the Olympic sport of rugby sevens, while also reflecting the game's grassroots in both traditional rugby strongholds and new, emerging territories across all six rugby regions. 

In addition to the evolution of the television programme, as production, programming and distribution partner ESM will bring a new 'digital first' strategy to the world governing body's regular daily and weekly output, producing and distributing video across all digital media platforms, meaning fans can access new and exclusive content on-demand via its website www.worldrugby.org/worldrugbytv/video, the World Rugby You Tube channel and other integrated social media platforms. 

For the distribution of digital video content, World Rugby has selected ESM’s versatile multi-platform video publishing and distribution tool the EPP (Engage Publishing Platform) as the video-player for its new website and Rugby World Cup mobile app. 

Murray Barnett, World Rugby Head of Commercial, Broadcast and Marketing said: "We are delighted to be launching World Rugby TV, our new-look magazine show which will build on the success of its predecessor Total Rugby to bring audiences closer to the sport, its personalities, untold and inspirational stories. 

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"In doing so, we are delighted to partner with Engage, an organisation that shares our passion for rugby and innovation. ESM's approach to production and distribution of digital and TV content underscores our commitment to reach and inspire new audiences worldwide in what is the biggest ever year for rugby." 

Gregg Oldfield, CEO of Engage Sports Media said: "It’s great to have been selected by World Rugby to work on the expanded remit to create innovative digital content and long-form programming to increase reach and engage fans. All content will be delivered to all distribution stakeholders through our market-leading EPP solution. We're looking forward to working with World Rugby to achieve its goals of growing the global rugby footprint." 

Dominic Kelly, World Rugby Digital Media Operations Manager said: "We've been impressed with the EPP, it is a versatile and robust system, and we are looking forward to using it to distribute our video content as part of our overall digital strategy. Engage will play a key role in helping World Rugby maximise video viewership and engagement via the Engage Publishing Platform, especially during Rugby World Cup 2015." 

The television show will now be made available to access via digital download. Unions or broadcasters requiring information on the new programming, or how they can access it for broadcast, should contact Mark Perry mark.perry@engagesportsmedia.com.