Spark Sport ends ties with NZC, forwards deal to TVNZ

Black Caps during the ODI series against India

In what comes as a shocking news for cricketing fans in New Zealand, the telecommunications firm Spark has decided shut its streaming service platform, Spark Sport from the start of the 2023-24 home summer. 

The telco has decided to shut its sports broadcasting business due to increasing cost of sports media rights. While New Zealand Cricket will be benifits hugely, as Spark will be giving the TV Rights to TVNZ. 

While commenting on the major happening, NZC Chief David White said that the TVNZ arrangement will be a game-changer in the nation.

“We’re delighted New Zealanders can look forward to this level of free-to-air coverage – it’s a game-changer for the sport in this country,” White stated.

"We’ve enjoyed a very strong relationship with Spark Sport and are sad to see them leaving the market," he further commented. "Spark Sport has contributed significantly to the New Zealand sports environment, by introducing competition to the market, increasing the volume of cricket produced for broadcast, and implementing cutting-edge technology."

The deal with between TVNZ and NZC will commence from July 2023, and it will be valid until the end of the 2025-26 season.

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