Sky and TVNZ 2 Team Up for Netball

TVNZ 2 will screen key Silver Ferns Internationals games under a new partnership with Sky that sees the pay-TV operator once again bypass the free-to-air channel it owns, Prime, for a bigger rival.

“This agreement follows the recent success of our Olympic Games partnership where we worked with TVNZ to bring the Olympics to all of New Zealand, where both Sky and TVNZ saw increases in audience and engagement,” Sky CEO Sophie Moloney says.

Here’s the media release:

Sky and TVNZ partner on Silver Ferns Internationals

Sky is pleased to confirm TVNZ as its free-to-air partner for the 2021 Silver Ferns Internationals, reflecting its commitment to women’s sport in Aotearoa New Zealand and desire to encourage as many fans as possible to support the Silver Ferns this season.

The Silver Ferns will play three matches against the England Roses in September and four matches against the Australian Origin Diamonds in October.

Sky will broadcast all Silver Ferns matches live on Sky Sport as well as streaming the games on Sky Go and Sky Sport Now.

Under the partnership with TVNZ, the Australian Origin Diamond matches will also be simulcast live and free on TVNZ 2, and the England matches will be delayed on TVNZ 2.

Sophie Moloney, Sky CEO said: “Along with our partners at Netball New Zealand we want to showcase the Silver Ferns to the largest audience possible, encouraging engagement and growth of the game in New Zealand.

“We have a strong commitment to women’s sport, and we value our privileged role in showcasing female athletes competing and achieving right across New Zealand sport, from the grassroots to the highest level.

“Netball is a key offering on Sky Sport and has long been enjoyed by our customers across our platforms, including Sky Box, streaming and free-to-air on Prime.

“Partnering with TVNZ for the Silver Ferns internationals this year is part of our commitment to bringing outstanding women’s sport to the homes of even more Kiwis.

“This agreement follows the recent success of our Olympic Games partnership where we worked with TVNZ to bring the Olympics to all of New Zealand, where both Sky and TVNZ saw increases in audience and engagement.”

TVNZ Director of Content, Cate Slater said, “Our partnership with Sky for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 meant that between us we brought comprehensive coverage to all New Zealanders in a multitude of ways.

“We’re excited to team up again for the netball and bring one of Aotearoa’s most loved sports to the biggest audience possible. We’re committed to showcasing female athletes in action and we hope the visibility this partnership provides helps to inspire the next generation of Silver Ferns.”

Netball NZ chief Executive Jennie Wyllie said this was a great show of commitment to women’s sport in NZ.

“We are thrilled to have Netball featured on both SKY and TVNZ, this is an important part of our strategy of reaching the largest audiences possible, encouraging engagement and growth of the game in New Zealand and showcasing our Silver Ferns,” she said.