Sky Television is in the final stages of negotiating the broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup and other competitions, the company has confirmed.
Sky Television is in the final stages of negotiating the broadcast rights for the Rugby World Cup. File photo Photo: Photosport
The company was forced to confirm it was in advanced talks for the rights after media speculation that it had beaten out a rival bid from Spark Sport and Warner Discovery, owners of TV3.
Spark referred all questions to World Rugby, while Warner Discovery said it had not made any formal bid for the rights, but would not clarify whether it had been involved in any discussions on rights.
"Sky Network Television confirms that it is in advanced discussions with World Rugby to negotiate a wide-ranging rights deal that would secure World Rugby's premium competitions (including Rugby World Cups) for our customers over multiple years," Sky said in a statement issued after the NZX had closed.
"The discussions include potential changes for RugbyPass, which would support World Rugby's strategy to engage fans and grow the global game."
"It would be inappropriate to comment on the details until the terms of a binding agreement are finalised."
Spark Sport snaffled the rights to the 2019 Rugby World Cup from Sky, along with Formula One motor racing, English Premier League football, and international cricket.
Sky TV has since wrestled back the rights to Premier League football.
Sky did not elaborate on the possible changes to the streaming service, RugbyPass, which it bought in 2019 for $US40 million, most of which has since been written off.
The pay-TV operator recently abandoned a plan to buy MediaWorks and said it would look at ways to return spare cash to shareholders after widespread scepticism about the value of the deal was expressed.
It's also been forced to delay the roll out of its new set top box because of supply chain disruptions and chip shortages.