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Universal Sports Network, NBC Grab Rugby World Cup

S

stationless listener

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar...l_Sports_Network_NBC_Grab_Rugby_World_Cup.php

International Rugby Board (IRB) CEO and Secretary General Mike Miler called the announcement "a significant milestone" for rugby in the United States. "NBC and Universal Sports are globally renowned for quality broadcast delivery of major sports events in the United States," he said, "and their considerable experience and passion for sport will deliver the widespread platform for Rugby World Cup to truly capture the hearts and minds of American sports fans."

Rugby's World Cup drew an estimated 4.2 billion viewers worldwide in 2007. The 2011 competition begins September 9, when host New Zealand meets Tonga. The field consists of 20 nations, including the U.S..
Click to expand...

First the increased soccer coverage on U.S. television. Now get ready for rugby to be on U.S. television in a major way. Sports coverage is undergoing a big change.
 
We all remember what a ratings sensation rugby was during the recent Olympic games - no, wait, maybe I'm thinking of curling...
 
Can you really say a contract with Universal Sports is a major get for rugby? I don't think so. I imagine their penetration is smaller than Versus.
 
Right now, Universal Sports is at 63 million homes, whereas Versus now is in 73 million homes, and that is after their settlement with DirecTV. I think, from the IRB's standpoint, they will operate on the principle of some US TV coverage > no US TV coverage. It's still big because rugby fans have had to go to either the pay-per-view, the specialized sports bar or pay for a Setanta subscription. Setanta, which was a premium channel you pay $14.99/mo to get where it was available, went out of business a few months back. Many of the rugby rights, such as the Magners League, was picked up by Fox Soccer Plus (not to be confused with Fox Soccer Channel), which is available as part of the sports pack in my area.

Yes, in terms of popularity, rugby very rarely registers in this country but, with globalization, it is slowly getting noticed. Plus, this is no ordinary rugby tournament but the World Cup. It should generate some more interest because you're likely to see the better rugby players participate in it.

Btw, I've already seen one promo about the RWC on Universal Sports this evening.
 
I suspect the 63 million number for Universal Sports is bit misleading.
Even though it is carried on many cable systems, it is not in that many cable households. It is likely that the digital stations that carry it cover markets with that many households.
 
Indeed, Universal Sports (or "US" as it has been branding itself on-air - gee, I wonder if "Versus" a.k.a. "VS" has a problem with that) is available on the digital subchannel of several broadcast stations (mostly NBC O&O's I would imagine) as there are cable systems. I'd be interested in knowing what the exact ratio is, but the "channel finder" page on US' website does not appear to be functioning properly.

Maybe this will explain why?
http://wiredpen.com/2010/03/06/nbc-sports-fail/
 
According to RabbitEars.info, Universal Sports is a digital subchannel in 51 markets, covering 144 million people (not households). Four of those are in Puerto Rico. Fifteen of them are spread across the top twenty largest markets.

Just the subchannels on the top ten markets, assuming 100% DMA penetration is 34 million households. But I cannot find a single cable provider who has it in their basic or extended basic tier - it seems to always be pushed to a premium tier. So I'd say Universal Sports is a non factor.
 
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