Sky loses New Zealand Cricket rights to Spark, TVNZ FTA partner

New Zealand Cricket has signed a six-year broadcasting rights agreement with Spark Sport, in partnership with TVNZ – starting from April 2020.

In addition, TVNZ is partnering with NZC to provide live, free-to-air coverage on TVNZ 1 of the first T20 international of each men’s and women’s series, together with more than a third of the men’s and women’s Dream11 Super Smash competition on TVNZ 1 and Duke channels.

NZC chief executive David White called the new agreement as “ground-breaking” and a nod to the future, saying it was as much about catering for the demands of tomorrow as it was about the demands of today.

“This is a deal which future-proofs the whole of cricket in New Zealand,” said White.

“Live streaming is the future. It allows viewers to free themselves from fixed linear schedules to watch live, delayed, highlighted or clipped content when and where they choose, and on a wide range of devices.

“Together with the free-to-air component provided by TVNZ, this accord means more cricket games than ever before will be broadcast live.

“It’s timely that we make this move now, at a time when more New Zealanders than ever – and especially young Kiwis, consume their sports content through digital devices.”

White paid tribute to Sky, which he described as a valued long-term partner.

“Sky has been a first-rate partner of NZC for many years and we’re grateful and appreciative of their support.

“We’re looking forward to working with them again on a world-class program over the coming summer.”