NEWS
SportsPro OTT Awards: The Rugby Network Lands Two Shortlists
SportsPro has announced the 14 shortlists for their 2021 OTT Awards. MLR’s The Rugby Network has been shortlisted for two of the top awards – Platform of the Year and Best New Platform.
Winners will be announced on November 15, 2021.
About The Rugby Network
A 2020 Octagon study commissioned by Major League Rugby revealed that awareness and familiarity with Major League Rugby did not always translate into TV viewership and the primary driver to increase sports fans’ interest and engagement with MLR was making it easier to watch matches in North America.
MLR tackled this issue by partnering with RugbyPass to create a dedicated digital home for Rugby in North America – The Rugby Network. The Rugby Network was built around a succinct vision and purpose: To support the growth of Rugby in the US through a centralized, fan-centric approach to awareness and engagement.
MLR and RugbyPass built an interconnected network of digital properties driving interest & engagement in Rugby, guided by four key principles:
1. Free access (removing all barriers to access and eliminating piracy)
2. An Inclusive network covering all aspects of rugby in North America
3. Content that appeals to all fan segments (from avid fans to prospective fans)
4. Grow the sport and drive the business of Major League Rugby/its member teams
In just its first season, The Rugby Network exceeded all its performance goals via its website and apps on iOS, Android and Roku:
● More than 45,000 registered subscribers
● More than 10.6 million minutes of live and on-demand Rugby consumed
● Seasonal streaming audience increased 383% versus the legacy third-party OTT provider (ESPN+) with the average viewership/match rising an incredible 76% year-on-year
● Despite lower linear TV ratings, Octagon sports tracker revealed a 30% increase in the size of the overall rugby fan base and 21% increase in MLR awareness since the launch of TRN.
Recent Posts
Offseason Talking Points: December News From Across MLR
Written by Joe Harvey There are less than two months to go
Major League Rugby unveils game kits for 2025 season
Connection to community, vibrant designs spotlight work from Macron DALLAS – Major
Offseason Taking Points: This Month’s News From Across MLR
The starting date and fixtures for the 2025 Major League Rugby season
Meet MLR’s First Mexican Player – Alejandro Pradillo
Written By Joe Harvey Alejandro Pradillo says it is a “dream come
Daniels & Eagles Poised For Spain Showdown
Written by Will Hooley | Photo by USA Rugby Many Eagles fans
Categories
- Anthem RC
- Chicago Hounds
- Dallas Jackals
- Expansion
- Games
- Headlines
- Highlights
- Houston SaberCats
- In the News
- League Announcements
- Miami Sharks
- MLR Collegiate Draft
- MLR News
- New England Free Jacks
- New York Ironworkers
- NOLA Gold
- Old Glory DC
- Playoffs
- Press Releases
- Rugby ATL
- Rugby FC Los Angeles
- San Diego Legion
- Seattle Seawolves
- Team News
- Toronto Arrows
- Trades
- Utah Warriors
- Videos
Archives
- December 2024 (2)
- November 2024 (10)
- October 2024 (3)
- September 2024 (7)
- August 2024 (14)
- July 2024 (22)
- June 2024 (42)
- May 2024 (29)
- April 2024 (39)
- March 2024 (37)
- February 2024 (5)
- January 2024 (6)
- December 2023 (5)
- November 2023 (4)
- October 2023 (5)
- September 2023 (5)
- August 2023 (7)
- July 2023 (19)
- June 2023 (43)
- May 2023 (41)
- April 2023 (46)
- March 2023 (27)
- February 2023 (17)
- January 2023 (4)
- December 2022 (4)
- November 2022 (7)
- October 2022 (7)
- September 2022 (4)
- August 2022 (3)
- July 2022 (8)
- June 2022 (46)
- May 2022 (71)
- April 2022 (56)
- March 2022 (58)
- February 2022 (55)
- January 2022 (13)
- December 2021 (8)
- November 2021 (10)
- October 2021 (14)
- September 2021 (10)
- August 2021 (17)
- July 2021 (60)
- June 2021 (63)
- May 2021 (64)
- April 2021 (49)
- March 2021 (35)
- February 2021 (14)
- January 2021 (15)
- November 2020 (1)
- September 2020 (4)
- August 2020 (6)
- July 2020 (10)
- June 2020 (3)
- May 2020 (4)
- March 2020 (16)
- February 2020 (19)
- September 2019 (1)
- August 2019 (1)
- June 2019 (17)
- May 2019 (32)
- April 2019 (39)
- March 2019 (28)
- February 2019 (54)
- January 2019 (31)
- May 2018 (2)
- April 2018 (1)