To be exclusive live streaming partner for Lions Rugby Tour
STARZPLAY subscribers can enjoy the fast-flowing game via the Premier Sports add-on channel
Dubai, UAE; June 29th, 2021: STARZPLAY, the region’s fastest-growing subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, today announced the expansion of its sports portfolio with the signing of a carriage deal with Premier Sports to exclusively stream the upcoming Lions Rugby Tour in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Premier Sports acquired the broadcast rights to the 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa in the MENA region and through the partnership, rugby fans in the region will be able to watch the hard-hitting enduring game live and exclusively on STARZPLAY.
STARZPLAY subscribers across MENA will have the access to stream all the upcoming matches live from the comfort and safety of their homes, via STARZPLAY’s new add on channel ‘Premier Sports’. This is part of the company’s add-on strategy to expand its existing portfolio to offer a diverse pool of programming for its growing subscribers. Earlier this year, STARZPLAY partnered with Abu Dhabi media to live stream the UFC events via the UFC add on channel on the platform.
Maaz Sheikh, CEO and Co-founder, STARZPLAY, said: “Rugby has a new home on STARZPLAY where the British & Irish Lions Tour 2021 in South Africa will be streamed live and exclusively. We are delighted to bring the much-awaited league to millions of rugby enthusiasts across the MENA region. Since the launch of UFC, we continue to expand our sports offering and are confident that the newest add-on channel will be enjoyed by rugby fans in the region. We aim to cater to a diverse target audience offering rich and exciting content.”
Michael O’Rourke, CEO Premier Sports, added: “We are excited to deliver all the Lions Rugby Tour’s action across the Middle East and Africa via STARZPLAY, the region’s leading streaming service. The Lions Rugby Tour has a great heritage and legacy and is one of the much-awaited leagues by rugby fans around the world. We are committed to bringing our customers the very best rugby action featuring the world’s best players and our deal with STARZPLAY will further enable us to deliver the action-packed sport to rugby enthusiasts in the region.”
The sport’s most famous touring team – the British & Irish Lions – will be heading this year to South Africa and will face the world champions to play an incredible eight-match tour. The British & Irish Lions will play three Test matches against the reigning world champions South Africa on their epic tour in 2021 as well as five other matches.
The Lions are made up of the best rugby players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – traditional rivals coming together to travel to the other side of the world and take on the top sides from the southern hemisphere, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The team currently tours every four years, with these rotating between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in order. The most recent Test series, the 2017 series against New Zealand, was drawn 1–1 (with one match drawn).
STARZPLAY subscribers can watch all the action live available at an additional cost of US$15 for fans to enjoy the game anytime, anywhere and from any device. Matches begin July 3 and run until August 7. A detailed schedule can be viewed below:
Saturday 3 July: Emirates Lions v The British & Irish Lions | 20h00 GST LIVE
Wednesday 7 July: Cell C Sharks v The British & Irish Lions | 22h00 GST LIVE
Saturday 10 July: Vodacom Bulls v The British & Irish Lions | 20h00 GST LIVE
Wednesday 14 July: South Africa ‘A’ v The British & Irish Lions | 22h00 GST LIVE
Saturday 17 July: DHL Stormers v The British & Irish Lions | 20h00 GST LIVE