rugby world cup in HD???? yes.

Australia 2003 the matches were all PPV, and then shown on Fox Sports World on a 2 day delay. I wish that we could get HD coverage here, but I am not holding my breath.

I got this response from my rugby torrent site.


The Channels that will be covering the Rugby World Cup (and providing the World Feed) are in the process of merging (Canal+/TPS) and they have stated that when their new service starts in the Spring of Next year, that it's sporting programming will be in 16:9 and HD.

Will have to wait and see as to whether ITV will have an HD Channel working by then for us in the UK.

In the UK or should I say England they have a law where certain sporting events have to be made free to the public and can't be given exclusive rights. I know the WC06 was one.

The UK has a number of "listed events" (known as the crown jewels in some parts) which can't be broadcast via subscription platforms, and I think they must be broadcast free-to-air on analogue terrestrial (which Rupert doesn't have any outlet on), though this might soon include digital terrestrial (which he does - Sky Sports News, Sky Three and Sky News are all FTA on the OTA Freeview platform)

I think the events include - Wimbledon, the FIFA World Cup Finals, The FA Cup Final, The Scottish FA Cup Final, The Grand National and The Derby.

English Test Cricket WAS on the list, but it isn't any longer, however the Rugby Union World Cup Final, the Rugby Leage Challenge Cup Final, and the European Champions Leage (football) final were added when Cricket was removed.

Unfortunately, it appears that Fox Sport World switched to Fox Soccer Channel, and phased out the rugby matches over the next two years. Now, in 2006, I'm switching to DirectTV, with the Setanta Sports Package, as I understand this carries a lot of southern hemisphere rugby. Hopefully it will even have northern hemisphere rugby.

with fingers crossed....

Confirmation of HD (just not in the US)

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...4-7582,00.html

"Next year Ten will broadcast its Saturday night AFL match in HD, as well as all games from the rugby World Cup in France"

http://www.tencorporate.com.au/libra...Lineupanno.pdf

"The 2007 Rugby World Cup - TEN will broadcast 20 pool matches, including all those involving the Wallabies and other leading rugby nations, LIVE into all markets. In addition, TEN will broadcast all eight finals, including the Rugby World Cup Final, LIVE into all markets. TEN will host all its broadcasts and associated programming from France. ALL games will be broadcast in High Definition."

http://sky.com/hd/hd-video-downloads.htm

There are two short HD rugby clips available for download on the Sky site. One of the Kapa o Pango Haka, another of a Premiership game.

God, I wish INHD or HDNet or someone would show some HD rugby.

I would like to know this as well. I suspect it's probably Setanta of some other small time operation in which case we're out of luck for HD.

Personally, I think this would be a great opportunity for WorldSportHD.

WorldsportHD is one of the Voom channels offered in the U.S. by Dish Network. The have the U.S. HD broadcast rights for the CFL and La Liga Spanish Premier Soccer.

According to a Wikipedia article, the RWC 2007 US TV rights belong to Setanta Sports. Setanta needs to be pressed in offering an HD channel soon or at least make the HD broadcast version available to HD providers.

I would prefer HDnet, since Rugby fans don't have access to Setanta on DISH and there is no way I will ever switch to DISH unless they have NFL Sunday ticket and Setanta. HD Lite or not.

Uggghhhhh. You would think the RWC would sell the rights to a carrier with HD capabilities.

Looks like no HD for anyone in the U.S. and not even SD for lots of folks in the U.S.

In 03, Setanta had the primary broadcast (via PPV). Fox Sports World had secondary rights, and showed all matches on a two day delay.

I wish HDnet would buy the secondary rights. (wishfull thinking)

Didn't Marc Cuban used to play rugby?

I just emailed him and he said they (HDNet) do not have any plans at this time.

I think I'd expect them to sell the rights to the highest bidder...

(That said - Rugby was on Sky in the UK for a while, but the popular domestic profile of the game dipped as fewer people were able to watch, and it has moved back to the BBC)

I believe the BBC may be showing some HD Rugby this year - not sure what though.

Your best bet would be INHD. They showed Euro 2004 from Setanta in HD on tape delay. Also INHD had some Rugby in HD before.

They had the 2004 or 2005 USA leg of the IRB Sevens on INHD.