In Flight Entertainment (IFE) operator Global Eagle (GEE) has secured a five-year deal to showcase Premiership Rugby on its commercial flights and to cruise ships using its VSAT service.

Under the agreement, GEE has been granted worldwide rights to provide extensive programming of the action-packed Aviva Premiership Rugby, Singha Premiership Rugby 7s series and Anglo-Welsh Cup competitions. The broadcasts will include group matches and semi-final and final competitions of the three rugby series, including live events and highlights.

“This is another exciting offering in GEE sports programming, allowing cruise ship and airline passengers an unparalleled onboard experience, especially in countries that follow the Premiership Rugby events,” said Jim Griffiths, senior vice president, content distribution and purchasing, for GEE. “Whether you’re at sea or in the air, you don’t have to miss your favourite sporting events.”

“This has been a breakthrough season in terms of Premiership Rugby’s global footprint, and this latest partnership extends the reach of Aviva Premiership Rugby, Singha Premiership Rugby 7s series and Anglo-Welsh Cup competitions even further,” said Dominic Hayes, the commercial director at Premiership Rugby. “It is the first of its kind for club rugby in England and continues our strategy to increase the global reach of our competitions and our 12 clubs. The recently announced broadcast deal with NBC Sports in the United States, along with a number of other new international TV agreements for 2016-17, will see Aviva Premiership Rugby broadcast in 200 countries, reaching over 170 million households around the world. Now we will add to this global reach by showing our rugby on commercial flights and cruise ships throughout the world.”

Categories: Articles, Content, Rights