Sky gives New Zealand Rugby 5% of the company to secure TV rights

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Sky have agreed to a new broadcast deal labelled “revolutionary” that will see Sky deepen its investment in all levels of rugby and NZR become a shareholder in Sky.

NZR and Sky announced the new broadcast agreement, which extends Sky’s existing SANZAAR broadcast rights to 2025. The five-year agreement includes:

• The rights to broadcast rugby in New Zealand from 2021 to 2025
• A record investment in New Zealand and SANZAAR rugby
• New Zealand Rugby becoming a 5% shareholder in Sky

The broadcast rights include exclusive coverage of all Investec Rugby Championship, Steinlager Series, Investec Super Rugby, Mitre 10 Cup and all New Zealand’s other domestic competitions, including women’s competitions like the Farah Palmer Cup.

Sky CEO Martin Stewart said Sky was thrilled with the new partnership and what it meant for Sky’s customers, investors, staff and other New Zealand sport partners.

“We are delighted to have secured this superb rugby content for our customers to the end of 2025. Our commitment is to deliver rugby to all New Zealanders in ways that work for them, including streaming, broadcast over our satellite and free-to-air on Prime.

“This partnership with NZR cements our shared commitment to nurture and grow the game across all aspects, from grassroots to high performance, and for women, men, boys’ and girls’ rugby. 

“A special part of this deal is the 5% equity stake that NZR is taking in Sky.  We have long known that there is mutual benefit when each of us succeeds, and we’re pleased that NZR is becoming an investor in Sky.”