ITV retains Rugby World Cup rights
- Published
South Africa beat England in the last World Cup
ITV has successfully held onto the UK TV rights for the next two Rugby World Cups, it has been announced.
The channel, which has shown every world cup since 1991, will broadcast live TV and online coverage of every match from the tournaments.
Rugby World Cup Limited said several companies had submitted bids.
Next year's world cup kicks off in New Zealand on 9 September and the final will be played on 23 October.
In 2007, an audience of 16 million tuned in to watch England finish runners-up to South Africa in France.
Niall Sloane, ITV Controller of Sport, said: "ITV has a long association with the Rugby World Cup and we are delighted to have secured the next two Rugby World Cups free-to-air for ITV's viewers, particularly as the 2015 tournament takes place in England."