Rugby World Cup 2019TM Broadcast Plans Presented At WBM1
Plans for Rugby World Cup 2019TM have been presented to rights holders at the First World Broadcaster Meeting in Tokyo, Japan.
IGBS, the host broadcaster of the event, shared the stage with World Rugby, IMG and the local organising committee, JR2019to give the assembled audience of over 150 broadcast professionals an insight into what they can expect next year.
The attendees were welcomed by Nick Chesworth, Senior Vice-President of IMG, who highlighted the Rugby World Cup’s role as a shop window for the sport. “It is a chance for the game to attract new followers, to appeal to youth and to broaden the commercial base,” he noted. “This is the first Rugby World Cup played in Asia and the first where there has been an investment in a dedicated Host Broadcaster. The coverage will benefit greatly from the new innovations and the depth of feeds and content offered.”
“With one year to go we are very confident,” said Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Operating Officer and Head of Rugby World Cup. “We have a strong working relationship with JR2019 and 12 engaged host cities. We are looking forward to a celebration of rugby and you as broadcasters are important in helping us to share this around the world.”
“The uniqueness of Japan is what we want to demonstrate,” explained Akira Shimazu, President of JR2019. “We would like you as broadcasters to show the 48 matches of the Rugby World Cup 2019 but also the culture of Japan, the food, the host cities and the events, so we can share this together with the world.”
“This is a Japanese World Cup, and it is extremely important that we are well supported by our Japanese colleagues,” stated Francis Tellier, CEO of IGBS, in his opening comments. “On top of the international Dream Teams that we’ve assembled, we are proud to say we have key Japanese support: we have been working and developing partnerships with some of them for close to 20 years. Their involvement and presence is a guarantee for a safe delivery.
An enhanced offering for 2019 will give Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHBs) a wider selection of feeds and content, including 4K, increased use of cable camera coverage (34 out of 48 matches), a Media Server, Augmented Reality (AR) graphics, plus a dedicated social media content package, including short-form video clips, 360° video and infographics.”
The presentations were followed up by a busy day of unilateral meetings between broadcasters and IGBS Booking and Construction staff, to understand and assist RHBs in preparing their permanent space at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) next year and to plan their intended services at venues.
The event concludes with a venue tour of the Tokyo (Ajinomoto) Stadium, future home of the IBC and seven matches (including the Opening Match), as well as the International Stadium in Yokohama before spreading out across the rest of the country to visit the other stadiums participating in the event.
A Second World Broadcaster Meeting will be held next September, just before the commencement of the event, to recap RHBs of the final plans before the action kicks off with Japan against Russia on 20 September, 2019.
