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TNT Sports clinch deal to broadcast Antoine Dupont's HSBC SVNS debut
By Liam Heagney
TNT Sports will broadcast Antoine Dupont’s HSBC SVNS debut in Vancouver this weekend alongside RugbyPass TV after clinching a two-year deal to show live in the UK and Ireland the World Rugby sevens circuit.
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The France men’s XV skipper decided last December to take a Test rugby sabbatical to play for his country at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
He has been now selected to appear in the Canadian leg of the circuit on the same weekend that Fabien Galthie’s Les Bleus are playing their third-round Guinness Six Nations match at home to Italy in Lille.
A statement read: “TNT Sports announce a new addition to its expanded rugby portfolio by securing live rights to screen the HSBC SVNS, rugby sevens’ biggest annual competition worldwide, in the UK and Ireland on a two-year deal until the end of the 2025 season.
“With three rounds of the 2023/24 series completed, the first broadcast of the revamped series on TNT Sports and discovery+ will be when the HSBC SVNS heads to Vancouver in western Canada on the weekend of February 23/25.
Ready for takeoff 🛫🇫🇷#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSVAN pic.twitter.com/Yh21T7vOMF
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 16, 2024
“From Vancouver to Los Angeles and Hong Kong to Singapore, culminating in the grand finale in Madrid, the HSBC SVNS plays host to some of the world’s most iconic destinations with immersive festival experiences for fans cheering the likes of crowd favourites Fiji, the fearsome New Zealanders and exciting South African side.
“The 2023/24 HSBC SVNS also represents the very first time both men’s and women’s tournaments have parity at every round over the season.
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“In a further win for sports fans watching on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK and Ireland, show content from every round will include post-match and in-game interviews with players and coaches to bring to life the high-octane atmosphere, as well as additional features and storytelling items to further capture the event to its fullest.
“As the road to Olympic Games Paris 2024 draws closer, broadcasting the HSBC SVNS further strengthens Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe’s approach to showcasing Olympic sports all year round.
“WBD’s channels and platforms, discovery+ and Eurosport, will be the only place in the UK to watch all of the Olympics from Paris this summer – including every moment of the rugby sevens competition held at the iconic Stade de France (July 24-30).
Trojan Paillot of Warner Bros Discovery Europe said: “In a historic year for the sport, we’re pleased to further expand our huge and varied premium rugby offer for fans in the UK and Ireland.
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“With men’s and women’s HSBC SVNS now available alongside Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Women’s Rugby, as well as all the rugby from Olympic Games Paris 2024 this summer, there is something on offer for every rugby fan on Warner Bros. Discovery Sports platforms.”
HSBC SVNS CALENDAR
Round four: Vancouver, Canada – February 23-25
Round five: Los Angeles, USA – March 1-3
Round six: Hong Kong, April 5-7
Round seven: Singapore, May 3-5
Round eight: Madrid, Spain (grand finale), May 31-June 2
- Click here for all the HSBC SVNS tournament details
