NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 – New Zealand Rugby (NZR), the official sporting organization for the world famous All Blacks rugby team, has partnered with Endeavor Streaming to deliver its free, global direct-to-consumer service to fans. The platform, NZR+, enables New Zealand Rugby to deliver on-demand content directly to fans around the world for the first time.
Launched ahead of the Rugby World Cup which kicks off on Friday 8th September, fans are able to stream original programming and behind-the-scenes footage of the All Blacks, Black Ferns and All Blacks Sevens teams. NZR+ is available to watch online at nzrplus.com, and via iOS and Android mobile apps at launch, with big screen devices such as Samsung TV, Apple TV, Android TV and LG TV to follow.
The service also enables New Zealand Rugby to engage with worldwide audiences and understand their fans on a deeper level, while also looking to grow future revenue streams as the organization continues to develop its digital marketing and content strategies.
NZR CEO, Mark Robinson said “NZR+ is the result of a simple concept, to be more fan-centric. With the investment and technology capabilities of Silver Lake, alongside the collaboration across rugby especially within the All Blacks and Black Ferns team environments we have built a product that aims to unify and inspire at a global scale. NZR+ will evolve as fans engage with it, the platform and its content will adapt as we learn more about what works and what doesn’t. But right now, we are excited to share NZR+ with the world.”
Pete Bellamy, Chief Commercial Officer at Endeavor Streaming said “The All Blacks are one of the most distinctive and recognizable sports brands in the world and this service provides fans with a new global destination to access content. Endeavor Streaming’s Strategy and Growth Services team will also work closely with New Zealand Rugby to help deliver the strategic goals of the service on a worldwide basis. We are a proud partner of New Zealand Rugby and look forward to supporting them with this exciting new initiative.”
The partnership leverages Endeavor Streaming’s experience in delivering innovative direct-to-consumer streaming offerings for some of the world’s biggest sporting clubs and leagues, including Tottenham Hotspur FC, the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, Union of European Football Association (UEFA), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the English Football League (EFL).