Omnigon to drive development of The Rugby Channel

Digital services firm Omnigon has been selected by the Rugby International Marketing arm of national governing body USA Rugby to develop its new OTT platform, The Rugby Channel.

The offering, which is designed to drive engagement with current and new rugby union fans in the United States, will roll out in two phases. Phase one is live now on iOS and Android mobile devices and the web at TheRugbyChannel.tv. Phase two will commence in June with The Rugby Channel launching on other platforms.

The OTT platform will include both free and premium content offerings available through monthly or yearly subscription options. Among the live events available exclusively through the new platform will be Test matches featuring the USA men’s and women’s national teams; the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series; the USA Rugby national college and club championships; and matches from the Pro12 competition, which encompasses clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy.

On-demand content will include the World Rugby TV weekly news magazine and classic matches from the archives of USA Rugby, the English Rugby Football Union, the Rugby World Cup and other global competitions. The free service will offer short videos and limited content.

David Nugent, chief commercial officer of Omnigon, said: “Interest in rugby in the United States has never been higher coming off of last year’s Rugby World Cup, the Eagles’ semi-final appearance at the Rugby Sevens last month, and the Olympics this summer. We look forward to capitalising on this by working with the USA Rugby team to drive engagement of current rugby fans and ignite interest from new fans leveraging The Rugby Channel.”