Leading global online broadcaster MediaZone and the Rugby World
Cup Limited (RWCL) today launched RWC Plus, the official and exclusive
broadband video On Demand service for Rugby World Cup 2007. RWC Plus
is produced in association with MediaZone Rugby and will be streamed
through the official tournament website at
www.rugbyworldcup.com/video.
RWC Plus provides rugby fans worldwide with delayed coverage of
all 48 matches from the Rugby World Cup 2007, as well as LIVE audio
feeds, match previews, halftime and fulltime highlights and interviews
for USD 49.99.
Fans who purchase the package before the Rugby World Cup starts
can whet their appetites by watching some of the best moments, tries &
match highlights from the RWC video archive 1987-2003. The archive
contains an edited package of the Top 20 Tries from each of the five
previous Rugby World Cups, plus 20 Golden Moments like Joel Stranky's
winning drop goal from 1995, along with 15 classic Rugby World Cup
matches (including all five RWC Finals) cut down into 10-minute
single-game highlight packages. With RWC Plus, fans can relive all the
drama from David Kirk lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in the inaugural
Tournament, to Francois Pienaar and Nelson Mandela celebrating
together on the podium in 1995, to Martin Johnson lifting the trophy
after Jonny Wilkinson's famous drop goal against Australia in 2003.
"We envisioned RWC Plus as an unprecedented worldwide service to
ensure rugby fans everywhere have access to deep coverage of Rugby
World Cup 2007 through the official site. The IRB are pleased to
partner with MediaZone to launch this broadband video option to
complement broadcast coverage," said Mike Miller, IRB CEO.
Existing MediaZone Rugby All-Access-Pass customers in eligible
territories can purchase the Rugby World Cup Pass at a discounted rate
of USD 39.99. Fans interested in purchasing both the RWC Pass and the
MediaZone Rugby All-Access-Pass can buy a combined package for USD
139.98.
"As the broadband home for rugby union, MediaZone consistently
provides fans with the highest quality rugby video available online at
an affordable price," said Patrick Guthrie, MediaZone's director of
rugby. "RWC Plus will allow fans worldwide to watch every match,
whenever and wherever they choose and relive their favorite moments.
This exclusive VOD broadband coverage is the only one of its kind and
we're thrilled to be working with the IRB to provide this exclusive
service to fans around the globe."
About the International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board (IRB) is Rugby Union's governing
body. There are currently 120 Unions in membership of the IRB within
six Regional Associations. The IRB funds and runs major International
Rugby tournament's all over the world including its most prestigious
event, Rugby World Cup (RWC), which is held every four years. RWC is
now the world's third largest sporting event and this year's
tournament in France is widely anticipated to be the most successful
in the tournament's 20-year history. Over 2 million fans are expected
to attend one or more of the 48 matches while a worldwide audience of
over 4 billion will watch RWC on TV. RWC plays an important part in
the global development of the Game with funds generated pumped into
the Game at every level in the form of high performance, union
infrastructure and tournament initiatives designed at increasing the
overall competitiveness of the Game.
About MediaZone
MediaZone is a leading global online broadcaster specializing in
professionally produced sports, international and entertainment video
programming. MediaZone has established lasting exclusive partnerships
with leading media brands including AOL and NBC Sports and is the
official online broadcast partner for major events such as Wimbledon,
the New York City Marathon, and the Indianapolis 500. MediaZone Rugby
is the world's leading service for rugby video online, available at
MediaZone.com/Rugby. The company is headquartered in the San Francisco
Bay Area with offices in China and Europe. MediaZone is a division of
MIH Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Naspers (Nasdaq:NPSN). For more
information, please visit: MediaZone.com.