CITV to air all 48 games

Cook Islands Television has signed a contract with Fiji Television and its local Sky Pacific operation for the rights to broadcast all 48 games of the Rugby World Cup series.

Jeane Matenga of CITV says she secured broadcasting rights two weeks ago, but because of strict contractual obligations she has been unable to advertise the Rugby World Cup on television as yet.

CITV is bound to a strict contract with Fiji TV, which stipulates that it must submit all promotional material for review before it goes to air.

Currently Fiji TV is evaluating CITVs advertising programme.

We havent promoted the event because Im waiting for our promo to be approved by the RWC committee, Matenga said.

Thus far CITV has allotted 80 percent of its sponsorhip slots.

Most of the 48 games will be aired live. Ten will be delayed due to conflicts with prime time programming but none of those games involve New Zealand or Australia teams.

The delayed games are France v Japan, Ireland v USA, Tonga v Canada, South Africa v Fiji, England v Georgia, England v Romania, Ireland v Russia, Canada v Japan, France v Tonga and Wales v Fiji.

CITV will begin airing Rugby World Cup games on September 8 (which is September 9 in Auckland).

New Zealand is scheduled to play on September 8 (10.30pm Cook Islands time), September 15 (10pm Cook Islands time), September 23 (10.30pm Cook Islands time) and October 1 (4.30pm Cook Islands time).

All qualifiers, semi-finals and play-off games will be aired live between October 7 and October 20, though dates and times are to be determined. The Rugby World Cup final will be aired at 10pm on October 22 (Cook Islands time).

For visitors to the Cook Islands and residents without televisions, Sky Pacific is available at the following locations: Trader Jacks, Whatever Bar & Grill, Fishing Club, The Rarotongan, Rarotonga Golf Club, Maori Cafe in Kavera, Edgewater Resort & Spa, Aquarius, Ngatangiia Clubhouse, Muri Beach Resort, Kent Hall and Coco Putt.

At those venues, and for Sky Pacific customers with satellite dishes, all games will be broadcasted live.