Post by beez on Aug 20, 2009 18:58:54 GMT 10
The New Zealand Rugby League and Sky Television today announced they had signed a four-year contract, one of the longest in the NZRL's history.
Chief executive Jim Doyle said the NZRL was delighted terms had been reached on such a significant broadcasting agreement.
"It's exciting for the game in this country that we've been able to sign up such a long-term partnership with Sky Television," he said.
"This gives us a great platform to plan for the future and develop an on-going relationship with Sky.
"The Kiwis' success at the Rugby League World Cup last year gave the game a wonderful boost in New Zealand and this arrangement with Sky can only help us to give the sport even greater exposure."
Richard Last, Sky Television's director of sport content and new media, said the network was thrilled it was now able to work with the NZRL on a long-term basis.
"Rugby league ranks as one of the most popular sports with our subscribers and we welcome becoming the official home to the Kiwis for the next four years," he said.
"They've given us much to celebrate in recent years especially the World Cup final, one of our highest-rating programmes last year."
Doyle said the contract would see Sky covering the Kiwis' internationals for the next four years starting with the one-off test against Tonga at the International Stadium in Rotorua on October 14 followed by the inaugural Gillette Four Nations series in England and France.
The Kiwis' first match in that tournament is against Australia in London on October 24 followed by France in Toulouse on October 31 and England in Huddersfield on November 7. If New Zealand finishes first or second among the four teams, it will play in the final at Elland Road in Leeds on November 14.
"The broadcasting contract also takes in the annual Anzac Test against Australia and, as well as that, Sky will cover the semi-finals and final in our Bartercard National Provincial Premiership," said Doyle.
The NPP, starting this weekend, is contested by six provinces - Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Wellington and Canterbury - at senior under-18 and under-16 level.
Chief executive Jim Doyle said the NZRL was delighted terms had been reached on such a significant broadcasting agreement.
"It's exciting for the game in this country that we've been able to sign up such a long-term partnership with Sky Television," he said.
"This gives us a great platform to plan for the future and develop an on-going relationship with Sky.
"The Kiwis' success at the Rugby League World Cup last year gave the game a wonderful boost in New Zealand and this arrangement with Sky can only help us to give the sport even greater exposure."
Richard Last, Sky Television's director of sport content and new media, said the network was thrilled it was now able to work with the NZRL on a long-term basis.
"Rugby league ranks as one of the most popular sports with our subscribers and we welcome becoming the official home to the Kiwis for the next four years," he said.
"They've given us much to celebrate in recent years especially the World Cup final, one of our highest-rating programmes last year."
Doyle said the contract would see Sky covering the Kiwis' internationals for the next four years starting with the one-off test against Tonga at the International Stadium in Rotorua on October 14 followed by the inaugural Gillette Four Nations series in England and France.
The Kiwis' first match in that tournament is against Australia in London on October 24 followed by France in Toulouse on October 31 and England in Huddersfield on November 7. If New Zealand finishes first or second among the four teams, it will play in the final at Elland Road in Leeds on November 14.
"The broadcasting contract also takes in the annual Anzac Test against Australia and, as well as that, Sky will cover the semi-finals and final in our Bartercard National Provincial Premiership," said Doyle.
The NPP, starting this weekend, is contested by six provinces - Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Wellington and Canterbury - at senior under-18 and under-16 level.
Good to see some domestic league on SkyTV, interesting that it says the semi-finals & final of the NPP will be covered when there are no semis, or are there? The NZRL is known for changes competition structures with no warning.
