Rugby League World Cup 2021 and the International Rugby League are joining forces on the broadcast production of next year’s tournament.
The partnership will work with the BBC, the UK rights holder, on production of 61 matches across the RLWC2021 Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments. The event is due to take place in England in October 2021.
RLWC2021 and the IRL said they will shortly issue an ‘Invitation To Tender’ for a production partner.
The objectives of the new partnership are to create a “deeper connection with rugby league’s committed fans, while delivering the most accessible experience for new fans through engaging content and powerful, in-depth storytelling.”
Jon Dutton, chief executive RLWC2021, said: “The content needs of fans are changing radically and becoming more fragmented, and we want to stay ahead of the curve and meet these rapidly evolving demands.
“Our partnership with the IRL allows us to both execute a world-class broadcast production and rights strategy, which will be at the centre of our fan engagement approach and will provide an additional revenue stream for all parties.”
Nigel Wood, chief executive IRL added: “The opportunity to work collaboratively on the broadcast production is a very sensible commercial arrangement. It puts the whole presentation of the tournament in the hands of the organisers.”
“Together with the tournament’s domestic broadcast partner the BBC, we can deliver a great experience for viewers of the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments. It also allows the tournament to make a range of content available to broadcasters of every kind around the world.”
