ESPN to Continue on Sky
February 3, 2026 
11 Comments
Sky will continue to broadcast and stream two ESPN channels for the next few years.
Here’s the media release:
Sky renews distribution agreement with ESPN, securing the biggest names in global sport
Sky New Zealand is delighted to announce a renewal of its distribution agreement with global sports brand ESPN, keeping Kiwi fans connected to some of the world’s most iconic sporting events.
Through this multi-year agreement, Sky customers will continue to enjoy ESPN and ESPN2 channels on Sky Sport and streamed on Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.
The renewed programming deal continues to deliver a robust programming lineup, including:
- MLB: Regular season, MLB All-Star Weekend, MLB Playoffs and MLB World Series
- NFL: Preseason, Sunday/Monday/Thursday Night Football, Thanksgiving games, NFL Playoffs and ESPN’s exclusive ANZ broadcast of the Super Bowl.
- NBA: 180+ regular season games, NBA All-Star Weekend, NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals
- NCAA Basketball & Football: March Madness, College Football Playoffs and key conference games
- Australian NBL: Every game of the National Basketball League season, including all New Zealand Breakers matches.
- FIBA: The biggest matches from international basketball, including the New Zealand Tall Blacks and Men’s and Women’s FIBA Basketball World Cups.
- NHL: Regular season action and the intensity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Adam Crothers, Sky’s Head of Content Partnerships, said: “Our goal is to connect our customers with the sport and entertainment they love, wherever they are in New Zealand.
“ESPN is the home of US sports, and this renewal means fans can continue to enjoy its biggest names and moments – from the Super Bowl to the NBA Finals and beyond.”
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, said: “We’re thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with Sky to serve their New Zealand audiences with our premium sports offering.
“Fandom for our best of US sports and Home for Hoops action continues to grow and deepen, and we’re committed to serving our sports fans anytime, anywhere.
“ESPN remains the go-to destination for the leagues and sporting events that simply cannot be missed.”
And aew has disappeared out of nowhere. — Chris.
Has anyone been able to watch the NBL basketball on Disney +? It’s shown in the advertising as a watch platform but when I look it’s not there. Are we geo blocked in NZ as Sky has the monopoly on the NBL? — Paul W.
Sky doesn’t carry the NBL AFAIK – it’s all on ESPN or TVNZ. Therefore it should be available on Disney+ as ESPN is non-exclusive in NZ (both Sky and DTC). — Mike.
@ Mike. I’ve tried many time to find live NGL on Disney plus but no luck only highlights of past games. Got an email from the NBL today and click on their “How to watch” icon
Here’s everything you need to know to watch all the action in NBL26.
Australia & New Zealand
Every game: Live on ESPN
Sunday games: Live and free on 10
How to watch ESPN
ESPN is available via the following platforms:
– Disney+
– Foxtel & Foxtel Now
– Kayo
– Fetch
– Sky (New Zealand audiences)
Note Sky NZ Audiences so as I read this that Sky has the NZ monopoly of the NBL on ESPN. — Paul W.
Following on from the NBL post I got a couple of emails from Disney+ inviting me to watch Superbowl 2026 on their platform. Click on the bookmark link and get “Not available in your region”. At least it’s on FTA TVNZ this year. — Paul W.
😂
NBL South East Melbourne Pheonix vs Sydney Kings now on ESPN via Disney+ as advertised. I’ve seen no issue with NBL via Disney+. — RossD.
Paul, I read the blurb as NBL being on ESPN and you can watch ESPN in a number of ways. For NZ that would be Disney+ and Sky. If it were exclusive to Sky in NZ then they would need to state that (or that Disney+ in Australia only). Add to that the Disney+ NZ website is very clear that NBL is on that platform (as is NFL and hence Superbowl). You’d be entitled to a refund from Disney (for the ESPN portion) if it isn’t carrying the content that you believe you’re paying for. You’re not using a VPN or an ad-blocker are you? That’d mess things up. Have you tried the apps on different devices to see if its device specific – cos it sounds like a you-issue rather than a Disney+ issue. And I’m watching ESPN on Disney+ ads right now (on Sky) – and the NBL finals is being advertised for ESPN on Disney+. — Mike.
No VPN or ad blocker just the Disney app on my phone casting to my Chromecast. Same on my tablet. So far this season I have not seen one live game on Disney for the NZ Breakers, only the mini games which are edited highlights. Don’t know if you can stream the Ozzy teams games as not interested in them. Just looked on the Disney app now and don’t see anything about the NBL final. — Paul W.
Paul, is your phone a NZ phone or sourced from a parallel importer? I’ve had phones (and other devices) ex-Canada and ex-Singapore that use region-specific apps (and wont download NZ region apps) – your phone/tablet may think it’s using Disney+ from another country? Any issues with TVNZ+, ThreeNow, or SkyGo (the SkyOpen content is free to stream) on those devices?
#searchingforasolution — Mike.
@ mike. No the phone sourced from Spark NZ. All other services work fine. I’ll just put it down to one of those things. — Paul W.