Landmark 2019 World Cup TV deal should make Irish rugby fans happy

A big deal for both broadcasters, and for rugby fans in Ireland.

eir sport and RTÉ have announced that a sub-licencing agreement has been reached between the two broadcasters in relation to 2019 World Cup 2019. eir Sport will be the primary rights holder and will broadcast all 48 games live, including all of Ireland’s matches, and a daily highlights show. RTÉ has secured TV rights to broadcast 14 live matches. This will include all of Ireland's games, all knockout stages and the final, as well as 16 nights of highlights. RTÉ’s 14 live games and 16 nights of highlights will be broadcast free-to-air on RTÉ2 and also on RTÉ Player live and on-demand. Beginning with Ireland v Scotland, all of Ireland’s pool games will be broadcast live as well as all knockout and final placing matches including the final on Saturday 2 November. Susan Brady, managing director of eir sport commented:

"There has never been such an exciting time in Irish rugby and, following the recent win against the All Blacks, we’re heading to Japan with a real chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy. eir sport will be there every step of the way with all 48 games live including every Ireland game and the knock out stages. "We are delighted to have come to this agreement with RTÉ which again shows the changing nature of the sports broadcasting landscape in Ireland where we’re happy to work together to give Irish sports fans the best possible choice and content."

"We are delighted to come to this agreement with eir sport," said Declan McBennett of RTÉ Sport, "to ensure that Irish audiences have a free-to-air front row seat to such significant games including all of Ireland’s games, the knockout stages and the final, on TV and online." eir sport won the rights to the tournament back in 2016 as part of an extensive rugby offering which included last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, the annual U20 Championship and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens. The broadcaster also broadcasts every game from the Guinness Pro 14 and the European Champions Cup through the eir sport pack which is available for free to eir broadband customers.