Spark Sport
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Note the bolded section.
Spark is pleased to announce that from April 2020, Spark Sport will be the official rights partner for all New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) matches played in New Zealand, with TVNZ joining as the free-to-air partner for a selected number of T20 International and Super Smash matches.
The rights period is for six years and includes all international and selected domestic cricket matches played in New Zealand under the umbrella of NZC. This includes:
• All Blackcaps and White Ferns matches played in New Zealand;
• All Men’s and Women’s Super Smash matches (including semi-finals and final);
• The Ford Trophy final;
• The New Zealand Cricket Awards.The 2020-21 season will include visits from the West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia men’s team to New Zealand, in addition to the India and England women’s teams.
Spark Chief Executive, Jolie Hodson said, “Cricket is an iconic sport that has continued to innovate. So we’re excited to announce this new partnership with New Zealand Cricket, one that cements our place as a significant player in New Zealand’s sports viewing landscape.
“This partnership with NZC is another major step towards Spark’s strategy of building a profitable sports media business that offers viewers a range of premium domestic and international sporting events over Spark Sport at an affordable price and across an array of devices.
“At Spark, we believe that streaming is the future of sports viewing, so we are immensely proud to partner with NZC to stream world-class cricket across a range of series.
Spark Sport will give cricket fans access to a range of content including educational and coaching pieces, fan engagement content and review shows. Plus, Spark Sport will make available a range of highlights programmes on a free-to-view and paid basis.
NZC CEO, David White hailed 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 Mr 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.”
Spark Sport will be responsible for all aspects of delivering a world class production for NZC. Jeff Latch, Head of Spark Sport explains, “This will also be our most significant move yet into live sports production. We’re looking forward to bringing a fresh look and feel to the coverage of cricket, including an engaging commentary team, world class decision review systems, team and individual analysis and on-screen graphics.”
As the free-to-air partner for T20 Internationals and Super Smash, TVNZ will show a selection of matches on TVNZ. These include the first T20 International of each series live (BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS); two regular season Men’s Super Smash matches per week; and two regular season Women’s Super Smash matches per week.
Spark will also be the official telecommunications and technology partner for NZC, BLACKCAPS, WHITE FERNS and Super Smash.
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That just bloody sucks.
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It won’t be good for the consumer if cricket is split (home/away) between Sky and Spark.
I would also question whether there is room for two OBU set ups in NZ. The costs involved with that will drive consumers costs.
Battles like this for domination in such a small market are wasteful -
@Yeetyaah said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
Because the coverage will suffer form inexperience, viewership will go down, not everyone can get speeds good enough to stream and fragmentation fo rights means you need to pay more to watch cricket and rugby.
Your turn.. tell me how it is a good thing.
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@Yeetyaah said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
I'll start.
Ads. I record the cricket and fast forward through the ads. This is really difficult with streaming due to not having a moving picture - just time. More important with cricket as they squeeze them between overs.
My internet connection is shit and is unlikely to change for the next 6 years. Buffering, freezing, restarting, all issues.
If people thought competition for sky was good, now we are likely to have to pay BOTH providers to get all of the content that I want to watch. I am at the moment for RWC.
I will think of more.
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I really don't think cricket lends itself to this type of platform. I stream it overseas and watch probably 50% less as a result. Nothing like sitting on the couch and watching a lazy session, rather than having to boot up the device, worry about the occasional buffer etc.
Sky should buy the NZ in Aus & T20 WC packages and sit tight until they can buy the rights back off Spark for pennies on the dollar in 2-3 years.
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@Baron-Silas-Greenback Not saying it's good or bad. I know a lot of people are complaining about Spark having RWC rights. Personally, I don't watch cricket so this doesn't bother me at all. I'm just curious on opinions.
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@Bovidae said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
Welcome to the new world order where sports broadcasting rights are fragmented. OK, if you only want to pay for certain sports, but more expensive if you like a broad range of sports that are on different platforms.
Time to trawl the internet with my VPN looking for free to air platforms
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@Chris-B said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
@Bovidae said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
NZC selling their soul to the highest bidder. Do all of the Sky commentators now jump ship? Spark will have to provide all of the OBU infrastructure which is a totally different ballgame to streaming an overseas event.
I guess the details of who will do the production will emerge - but, that would be a pretty massive step away from their core business for Spark if they're going to do it themselves.
@Hooroo - I'll certainly be cancelling my summer subscription to Sky.
Not just yet, sounds like they have the cricket until April so this summer will still be on Sky.
I'm not personally fussed who airs the cricket but I obviously don't like the idea of Spark for home and Sky for away.
I would also add that if Sky want to get with the times they need to offer a sports only package. I'm not interested in paying for the "starter' package that is mainly just free to air channels that I would never watch anyway.
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@No-Quarter said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
I would also add that if Sky want to get with the times they need to offer a sports only package. I'm not interested in paying for the "starter' package that is mainly just free to air channels that I would never watch anyway.
Fuck yes. I've thought that for so long, but they have/had the monopoly there so why would they? They know people only want it for sports but make more money off the rest of the shit. That's why I've never bought Sky.
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Be interesting to see how Spark intend to provide to actual coverage of the action given Sky appear to own all the equipment required to film the games. Guess they will tender to Spark to supply that service given they probably still have to pay off loans on the Outside Broadcast equipment and can't have it standing idle earning no income, settling on an agreeable price for the service might be interesting given the circumstances.
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@Bovidae said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
Welcome to the new world order where sports broadcasting rights are fragmented. OK, if you only want to pay for certain sports, but more expensive if you like a broad range of sports that are on different platforms.
Or like this one, where some of the cricket is on Sky and some on Spark (and some of the rugby is on Sky and some on Spark - it's already here with RWC, but won't be any surprise to see further fragmentation where rights to various games are held by different unions).
Will have some impacts on viewership of plenty of less core sports as well. i.e. if I've got Sky I'll probably watch some athletics if it's on, as opposed to some other shit - but, I won't subscribe to Sky simply to watch athletics.
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@Snowy said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
Ads. I record the cricket and fast forward through the ads. This is really difficult with streaming due to not having a moving picture - just time. More important with cricket as they squeeze them between overs.
This
@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in And the winner of the RWC broadcasting rights is...:
Because the coverage will suffer form inexperience, viewership will go down, not everyone can get speeds good enough to stream and fragmentation fo rights means you need to pay more to watch cricket and rugby.
and this!
Sky have offered a poor service and have arrogantly taken us for granted but the fragmentation thing is potentially a nightmare. It already is for non sport programming and they aren't time sensitive and are perfect for streaming.
On a brighter note: SPARK if you need a commentator to replace Smithy I'm pretty much his size and age and I promise not to wank on about Hawkes Bay ad nauseum. GISSAJOB
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The long-term sports broadcasting model will be like in the US where multiple networks broadcast the same sport. Aussie is similar.
The difference in the US is the majority are on FTA channels and their sports are conducive to having numerous ad breaks to generate revenue. OK for cricket but rugby? The last thing we want to hear is "Welcome back" ala Ray Warren after a commercial break.
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@nzzp Have Spark given any guarantee that the price will remain at $20 per month? Someone has to pay for this new sporting content, and that's usually the consumer.
The big winner here will be NZR. They should be able to name their price as both Sky and Spark will be fighting hard for these rights. Sky's survival depends on retaining rugby.
