Game on for Sky Olympics Coup
October 29, 2025 
7 Comments
Sky has locked up NZ rights to the Olympic Games until 2032 and will use Sky Open, Three and Three Now for extensive free-to-air coverage.
The amount of 4K coverage has yet to be disclosed but will be limited for the 2026 winter Olympics and hopefully widespread for the 2032 games in Brisbane.
Here’s the media release:
Sky secures exclusive Olympic rights through to Brisbane 2032
Sky is pleased to announce it has secured the exclusive broadcast rights to the Olympic Games starting with the forthcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, including the highly anticipated LA 2028 Olympics Games, and extending right through to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The long-term renewal of partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will see Sky deliver comprehensive coverage of the Olympics across its platforms, including Sky Sport, streaming app Sky Sport Now, Sky Open, and newly acquired free-to-air platforms, Three and ThreeNow.
Spanning multiple Olympic cycles, this agreement reflects Sky’s deep commitment to delivering world-class sport to New Zealanders.
Speaking to the extended partnership, Sky Chief Executive Sophie Moloney said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with the International Olympic Committee and to be the home of the Olympic Games in New Zealand through to Brisbane 2032.
“Delivering events of this scale and complexity is what Sky does best. From multiple live channels, to curated digital experiences, to special interviews with New Zealand Team Olympians in the moments following a competition, we know how to bring the thrill of the Olympics to life for fans across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“The recent acquisition of Three and ThreeNow was a game-changer in securing these rights. It significantly strengthened our free-to-air offering, meaning we can reach more New Zealanders than ever before, across more platforms, with more choice.
“With 100 days to go to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, excitement will be building for Kiwi athletes and fans alike.
“The LA 2028 Olympic Games are highly anticipated and will be an incredible spectacle, and Brisbane 2032 holds extra significance given the closeness to Kiwi shores and the fan-friendly time zone.
“Sky is excited to bring New Zealanders closer than ever to the action, celebrating athletes’ journeys and achievements on the world stage.”
Olympic coverage to reach more New Zealanders
Key moments of the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast free-to-air on Sky Open, alongside Sky’s comprehensive coverage on Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now, delivering broad accessibility and round-the-clock, in-depth coverage of every sport.
In addition to Sky’s array of dedicated Olympic channels, key moments of the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and Brisbane will be broadcast free-to-air on Three and ThreeNow, bringing the Games to even more homes across the country.
Further details on Sky’s Olympic coverage plans will be announced closer to each Games.
“I’m delighted that we have extended our successful partnership with Sky. Since 2010, Sky has done a great job showcasing New Zealand’s athletes and their stories to fans across the country,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
“Sky’s range of broadcast options and its innovative approach mean more New Zealanders than ever before can follow the Olympic journey and celebrate every moment together. We look forward to seeing New Zealanders unite in support of their athletes and enjoy the magic of the Olympic Games.”
An ongoing legacy of support for the New Zealand Team
The extension of Sky’s partnership to bring the Olympics to New Zealand builds on its long-standing partnership with the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), which has seen Sky serve as a cornerstone supporter of the New Zealand Team across both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games for many years.
NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol said: “We’re absolutely thrilled Sky New Zealand has acquired the rights for the Olympic Games through to Brisbane 2032.
“Sky has been a trusted and valued partner for many years, and we appreciate the strength and longevity of our working relationship.
“The quality, breadth and consistency of Sky’s coverage is unmatched in the New Zealand market and we’re confident they’ll continue to innovate and lead the way in delivering world-class Olympic content over the coming Games cycles, starting with our New Zealand Team athletes competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games next February.
“At the heart of this partnership is our shared commitment to inspiring more Kiwis than ever before.
“Sky’s recent acquisition of free-to-air Three and ThreeNow platforms extends the reach of Olympic coverage, ensuring New Zealanders across the motu can engage with, celebrate and be inspired by the New Zealand Team.
“This is a fantastic day for Olympic and New Zealand Team fans across Aotearoa, and we’re proud to provide this certainty and excitement through today’s announcement.”
Things must be really tight at TVNZ for them to miss out on Brisbane 2032. It would have been the closest Olympics since Sydney 2000. Such a missed opportunity for the state broadcaster, this doesn’t bode well for its sports strategy moving forward. — Leo.
Indeed, Leo, plus the time difference would have been perfect for TVNZ’s viewership.
I guess the inclusion of Sky Open in this press release means it will survive for a few more years and not be consolidated into Three. I have my suspicions that Sky will push Bravo out of channel 4 on Freeview in favour of Sky Open, so it can be more prominent. — Leo.
Bravo is owned by NBCUniversal so how would that happen? — Ross.
Ross: Sky TV, along with TVNZ, are the major shareholders of Freeview. NBCUniversal don’t own any stake in Freeview. I assume Sky can do whatever it likes with channel allocations as long as it does not impact TVNZ’s allocated channel positions on the Freeview platforms. — Gerard.
Since Sky took over from WBD I’m yet to see any changes that would save money for WBD as they were bleeding red ink everywhere. I would have thought some of the OTA channels would have been shut down by now. — PaulW.
I do see that happening next year Paul, I think Eden’s days are numbered and will be folded into Sky Open along with a few plus 1 channels. All I’m picturing is Sky 3, Sky 4, Sky Bravo and Sky Rush with HGTV going behind the Sky pay wall. This is all pure speculation on my part. — Leo.