The new deal covers the three French national team matches held during the autumn international window and runs for the next five seasons.  The agreement begins later this year (2016/17) and extends to the 2020/21 season. 

As well as offering the popular series to fans in Europe via Eurosport and Eurosport Player, the leading live and on-demand digital sport platform , the new rights-holder has agreed the matches will be available in Asia through Setanta Asia**, the pan-Asian Rugby broadcaster, and Rugby Pass,*** the digital content platform that reaches dedicated rugby fans across 23 Asian markets.

Beyond these territories, Eurosport will remain the gatekeeper for the autumn international matches worldwide*, distributing the rights for the series and helping to further grow the audiences, brand and profile of the French national team right around the world.

Peter Hutton, Eurosport CEO, said: “It is truly an honour to be entrusted with helping to showcase the French national team to passionate rugby fans across Europe.

The fact Eurosport has been awarded exclusive worldwide rights, including devising and implementing a strategy to distribute matches more widely across the globe, underlines the broad capabilities of Eurosport today and the valuable partnerships we can offer rights-holders.”

The agreement is a further example of how Eurosport is continuing to build a range of exclusive worldwide rights with the ability to sublicense, helping to deliver audience growth and drive value.  It follows longstanding Eurosport agreements such as the Australian Open and US Open tennis, as well as Discovery Communications’ exclusive multimedia rights across 50 countries and territories in Europe for the 2018-2024 Olympic Games.

The first matches which will be available to fans on Eurosport will be France’s encounters with Samoa, one of the most physical and exciting sides on the world circuit (12th November 2016), Australia, Rugby World Cup finalists in 2015 (19th November), and New Zealand, current world champions and number one ranked team in the world (26th November).

ENDS.

*Excluding France.

** Setanta Asia will show matches in selected territories (see below). Setanta Asia provides a Premium 100% rugby channel in Asia and is part of the Discovery Group. Launched in 2010 and acquired by Discovery in June 2015. 500+ exclusive games per season. Main properties: Sanzar, European Champions and Challenge Cup, NRL, Aviva Premiership, Pro 12 and International test-matches.

 *** Rugby Pass will show matches in selected territories (see below). Discovery Communications, owner of Eurosport, holds a minority stake in RugbyPass, the digital content platform that reaches passionate rugby fans across 23 Asian markets with the world's best competitions - live or on demand - from any device.

Notes

Setanta Asia territories include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Birmanie, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong-Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

Rugbypass territories include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.