HONG KONG, February 5, 2015 – now TV, Hong Kong’s largest quadruple-play pay-TV provider, will be the host broadcaster of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015 to be held from March 27-29.
Hong Kong’s flagship sporting event, the Sevens is the most popular and prestigious event on the HSBC Sevens World Series. 28 teams from all over the world, including 16 in the core team competition and 12 in the Sevens World Series qualifier, will compete in Hong Kong in 2015.
This year also marks the celebration of 40 years of Sevens in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union is planning an expanded programme of match action and entertainment inside the stadium, in what is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever Hong Kong Sevens.
As the host broadcaster, now TV will provide an unprecedented coverage experience for Hong Kong viewers. now TV customers will enjoy full coverage of the event live on now SPORTS 4 (Ch. 634) in HD with exclusive interactive features including the Timeshift feature so that they will not miss a single moment of the action and entertainment. Customers also have the option to relive their favourite moments via now TV’s VOD service, or to enjoy the games on the move via their smart devices on now Player.
The tournament will also be made available to the general public through a number of means. Live broadcast is available on two free channels, including now Hong Kong (Ch. 100) in HD and now SPORTS Prime (Ch. 630). Access to the two channels is available via the now Player and now Free TV app in HD quality for any iOS or Android smart device.
Ms. Janice Lee, Managing Director of PCCW Media Group, said, “now TV is thrilled to be the host broadcaster for this landmark 40th anniversary of the Sevens in Hong Kong. The vibrancy, energy and excitement of the Sevens is a spirit that now TV embodies. We will bring this same level of commitment to our coverage of the Sevens, and in close partnership with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, deliver it to every screen in Hong Kong, be it TV, tablet or mobile.”
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Ms. Lee added, “now TV has always been an active champion of sports in Hong Kong. We believe our quality of coverage, cross-platform delivery and innovative interactive features will deliver Hong Kong audiences a superior enjoyment of the Sevens with the added convenience of enjoying the tournament anytime, anywhere and on any screen.”
Mr. Vern Reid, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, said, “The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union is delighted to be partnering with now TV for the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens. now TV is widely acknowledged for its sports and entertainment programming, which makes them the perfect host broadcaster for the Sevens, which is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most colourful sporting weekends. We are particularly excited at the opportunity for local viewers to watch the Sevens via the mobile apps and to view matches on-demand. The support from now TV in making the Sevens more accessible to local viewers is a key part of our vision to make Rugby A Game for All in Hong Kong.”
In addition, The Club, HKT’s new loyalty and rewards program, will host the Rugby Satellite Party, the official satellite party of the Sevens, at The Wheel, Hong Kong’s new iconic attraction, during the event. Tickets are open to The Club members and the public. Further details about the ticketing arrangement will be announced in due course.
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About now TV
now TV is one of the world’s largest commercial deployments of IPTV and Hong Kong’s largest pay-TV provider. It is delivered by PCCW Media Limited, the multimedia and entertainment subsidiary of PCCW Limited. PCCW also holds interests in telecommunications, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
now TV offers the widest range of local and international content on its platform in Hong Kong. Its quality self-produced content includes two news channels and a diverse line up of entertainment and infotainment programmes. This is complemented by leading Asian and international content and brands across news, entertainment, information and sports genres including the exclusive Barclays Premier League.
now TV’s premium content can be accessed through linear TV channels, on-demand and via OTT companion apps while on the move. now TV can also be enjoyed on the eye devices provided by HKT, the telecommunications business of PCCW.
To learn more about now TV, please visit http://nowtv.now.com/.
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About PCCW Limited
PCCW Limited (SEHK: 0008) is a Hong Kong-based company which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
The Company holds a majority interest in HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider. HKT meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sale, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.
PCCW also owns a fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong, which includes a highly successful IPTV operation, now TV. As the provider of Hong Kong’s first quadruple-play experience, PCCW offers a range of innovative media content and services across four delivery platforms – fixed-line, broadband Internet access, TV and mobile.
Also wholly-owned by the Group, PCCW Solutions is a leading information technology outsourcing and business process outsourcing provider in Hong Kong and mainland China.
In addition, PCCW holds a majority interest in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, and overseas investments including the wholly-owned UK Broadband Limited. To learn more about PCCW, please visit www.pccw.com.
About the Hong Kong Sevens
First established in 1976 and organised by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, the Hong Kong Sevens is the world’s premier international sevens event, marking its 40th year in 2015. In 1999, the Hong Kong Sevens became a part of the International Rugby Board’s World Sevens Series. To date, Hong Kong is the only HSBC Sevens World Series event to host 28 international teams, more than any other tournament, and offers the largest prize purse in international sevens (USD150,000). The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union is also the only international rugby union to have hosted two Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997 and 2005.
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For further information, please contact:
Ivan Ho
PCCW
Tel: +852 2883 8747
Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com
For further information on the HKRFU or the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens please contact:
Sean Moore (English language enquiries)
Tel: +852 2808 0977
Email: sean.moore@elitestep.com
Andy Yeung (Chinese language enquiries)
Tel: +852 2808 0977
Email: andy.yeung@elitestep.com