| The IRFU is to utilise satellite technology to live stream a number of Ulster Bank League fixtures this season. In partnership with VideosOnTheNet, Irish Rugby TV will have the capability to live stream games from every club in Division1a of the Ulster Bank League. This Friday’s Division 1a clash between UCD and St Mary’s College at Belfield will be the first game streamed live using the new technology. The technology works by aligning a satellite dish using the co-ordinates of the Club ground and locking onto a spot beam from a satellite which is located over the Sahara Desert. Once the signal is locked on it allows upload speeds of 20mbs for HD streaming of live footage. Last season, Irish Rugby TV provided coverage of 14 club games on the IRFU’s website with highlight packages provided on the IRFU’s YouTube channel. This season Irish Rugby TV plan to double the number of games covered and to include live streaming of a number of Ulster Bank League Friday Night Lights fixtures. John Sherwin, founder VideosOnTheNet, commented, “We’ve successfully tested the technology at all 10 Division 1a clubs and the new uplink capacity means we can provide Irish Rugby TV with live streams to viewers in HD, High, Medium, Low, and (very importantly) Mobile feeds from selected games throughout the season. Barry Cunningham, Irish Rugby TV, commented, “Irish Rugby TV is an important element in the promotion of the Ulster Bank League. There is a huge interest the club game both at home and abroad and live streaming will allow a larger audience to keep up to date on their club’s progress throughout the season.” |