The Pro14 has become the first rugby competition to offer its own OTT streaming service to fans in selected international territories after partnering with streaming service StreamAMG.

Despite having deals with broadcasters in place, preventing the league from serving fans with live match content in territories such as the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa, fans in those regions will still be able to access a free version of the service with game highlights and the Pro14 Hour – the league’s official magazine show.

Those who do pay to access Pro14.tv will be able to watch live match coverage as well as the on-demand content as the league goes down the route of providing a content service directly to its fans.

With just the playoffs remaining of this year’s season, fans can purchase one-off passes for individual games or 72-hour passes to watch the weekend of action and it is reported that monthly and full-season packages will be made available ahead of the kick-off of the 2019/20 season.

Dermot Rigley, Commercial Director of PRO14 Rugby, said, “Launching our own OTT video platform to reach fans around the world was a logical next step for us as we experience more demand for the Guinness PRO14 than ever before. To be the first major rugby union tournament to launch an OTT service is in keeping with our commitment to innovation and a commitment to embrace new technologies.”

“Since expanding the Championship into South Africa in 2017 we have experienced significant growth across all metrics including attendances, social media engagement and, of course, signing record-setting broadcast deals earlier this year.

“We are looking forward to bringing the excitement of Guinness PRO14 rugby directly to supporters of our clubs. To deliver this we are extremely pleased to be working with StreamAMG, who have a strong track record in the sector. Their technical expertise was very much in evidence throughout the selection process.”

Duncan Burbidge, Chief Executive Officer of StreamAMG, added, “To be able to work with a top-flight sporting property in the form of Guinness PRO14 is a real honour for us. Our team is relishing the opportunity to bring their technical expertise and sporting expertise to bear in the delivery of a best-in-class OTT proposition.”

This weekend’s playoff semi finals will see Ulster travel to Glasgow and Munster make the short trip to Dublin to face losing Champions Cup finalists Leinster.

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