News UK has agreed a clips rights deal with Aviva Premiership Rugby, giving online subscribers to Sun+ and The Times access to post-match clip packages until June 2017.
Following the release of rights from BT Sport, which has an exclusive TV deal, the new agreement kicked off on Friday night with the match tonight between Bath Rugby and Saracens.
Building upon the Sun’s growing commitment to sport, members of the Sun, The Times and Sunday Times digital platforms will be able to watch clips of each game via their smartphones, tablets and PCs.
For £2 a week, Sun+ – the newsbrand’s online platform which went behind a paywall last summer – already offers members all of the Sun’s news, features and sports coverage, as well as the Goals app for smartphones and tablets which gives exclusive access to near-live video clips of every Barclays Premier League goal on the go.
Speaking at MediaTel’s Video Upfronts event last month, Hamish White, the Sun’s head of emerging platforms, said that video is now “integral” to what the newsbrand does.
“We now want to see how much video content is relevant to other areas of the business, for the Sun and The Times,” he said.
“But what’s really important is tapping into passion points, things people really give a monkey’s about – and things people pay for.”
Commenting on the new deal, Mike Darcey, CEO of News UK, said: “The partnership with Aviva Premiership Rugby significantly strengthens our offering to loyal subscribers of our world-renowned titles.
“Passion for rugby is shared across members of the Sun, The Times and Sunday Times and we are delighted to take our post match clips packages beyond football for the first time.”
