Spark expands sport offering by securing NZ Cricket rights

Spark New Zealand Limited
ARBN 050 611 277 Spark City, 167 Victoria Street West, Private Bag 92028, Auckland, New Zealand



MARKET RELEASE
10 October 2019
Spark New Zealand further expands sport offering by securing
New Zealand Cricket rights

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.

Spark New Zealand Limited
ARBN 050 611 277 Spark City, 167 Victoria Street West, Private Bag 92028, Auckland, New Zealand


“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.

-ENDS-



For Spark media queries, please contact:
Ellie Cross
Communications Lead Partner
+64 (0)22 630 0665, or
0800 222 412

For NZC media queries, please contact:
Richard Boock
Manager, Public Affairs
+64 (0)21 626 208

For TVNZ media queries, please contact:
Kirsty Way
General Manager, Corporate Relations
+64 (0)21 422 794

For Spark investor relations queries, please contact:
Dean Werder
Finance Lead Partner – Product and Performance
+64 (0)27 259 7176