TVNZ+ to Live Stream Boxing First
June 24, 2026 
6 Comments
TVNZ+ will stream its first pay-per-view boxing match on August 8, when the main event between David Nyika and Floyd Masson will be preceded by a series of major undercard fights.
TVNZ has yet to disclose the cost of the Event Pass for its latest challenge to Sky’s live sport dominance.
Here’s the edited media release issued by promoter Docu Events:
TVNZ+ set to deliver Nyika vs Masson pay-per-view
David Nyika’s IBF Cruiserweight World Title Eliminator against Floyd Masson continues to gather momentum, with a major new broadcast partnership and a number of major undercard bouts announced ahead of the blockbuster event at Eventfinda Stadium Auckland on Saturday 8 August.
Presented by Stonewood Homes and delivered by Duco Events and Parker Promotions, the full event will be available to purchase with a TVNZ+ Event Pass.
This event is the first pay-per-view boxing match for the broadcaster, growing its premium sport content offering.
TVNZ’s Head of Sport, Events & Partnerships, Melodie Robinson, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to partner with Duco Events to bring this spectacle to audiences later this year.
“They consistently deliver an incredible atmosphere and world-class events.
“With a lineup of quality bouts, we’re excited to offer Kiwi audiences the opportunity to watch all fights with a TVNZ+ Event Pass.”
Duco Events Director David Higgins says the latest announcements reinforce the scale and quality of the event.
“This is shaping up to be one of the biggest fight nights New Zealand has seen in years,” Higgins said.
“The main event already has massive world title implications, but we also wanted to build an undercard that delivers genuine entertainment and showcases some of the best boxing talent from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific, while also delivering some fantastic crossover matchups featuring well-known sporting personalities that fans will be eager to see step into the ring.
“Partnering with TVNZ+ is another major step forward for the sport here.
“It means more New Zealanders than ever before will be able to access a premium boxing product on a world-class platform.”
Philip, do you reckon TVNZ has a chance with the NRL rights or is it a foregone conclusion with Sky? — Leo.
I can’t comment with authority, Leo, but given how sports rights are being carved up around the globe, it wouldn’t surprise me if Sky secures the lion’s share (its NRL rights expire next year) but TVNZ scores some key competitions. That would be a win-win for NRL, broadening its reach here and maximising revenue across multiple platforms (from Sky’s pay and free-to-air options to TVNZ’s streaming service). Look what’s happening across the Tasman. This month the Australian Financial Review reported, “Foxtel has offered to buy the NRL rights for seven years under a complex multibillion-dollar proposal that would split the free-to-air coverage of the sport between two television networks.” And this week AFR claimed, “NRL supremo Peter V’landys is close to securing a deal with New Zealand’s Sky Network Television to extend its coverage of the code beyond 2027.” But as the NZ Herald observes, “Buoyed by its new pay-TV technology and five-year digital strategy – and its success in winning Football World Cup and UFC rights – TVNZ is fast becoming an aggressive competitor for sports rights.” However, TVNZ simply doesn’t have the resources to compete head-to-head with Sky, despite the Warriors’ rise to the top heightening local interest in the sport.
NRL in Australia has been split across Foxtel and Nine for years. Back in 2013 it was across both operators with Telstra having the digital rights (it might have even been the 2007-12 deal when it started). As has probably been the case for ever the rights will be first/last optioned, meaning that Nine could match the terms or decline and walk away if Foxtel put a number on the table. It’s hard to guess the amount one would have to overpay to break that first/last option. There has never been any NZ ad-funded broadcaster that was willing to spend enough to break the premium for exclusivity. Sky will know that as soon as TVNZ has its foot in the door for some matches it will be there for subsequent renewals and TVNZ would have to choose to walk away from future renewals. — Mike.
Fair analysis Philip and it certainly is the case with Sky appearing to be the winner from this latest round. Quite surprised that Nine in Australia didn’t take all the rights for FTA/Stan. At least TVNZ has the technology to have a pay TV add-on for its digital future. — Leo.
I don’t really think Nine could afford $700m/yr for all the rights. It paid a lot of money for an outdoor billboard company so was cash strapped to start with. Add that year-one rights ($700m) are half of its current total market cap and you’ve got the equivalent of when Sky had to ask shareholders to approve its Super Rugby rights purchase. Recall Sky’s $235m (being the sum total of the rights purchased) needed shareholder approval as it was greater than 50% of market cap. For Nine it becomes a bigger proposition (5x700m = $3.5bn vs $1.4bn capitalisation). Shareholders would be virtually guaranteeing to be there to stump up for the payments if Nine can’t afford it in the out years. Ouch. — Mike.
It’s crazy the amount of money spent on sports rights Mike, especially with that figure. Now I see why no New Zealand FTA broadcaster wants to commit such large sums of money. — Leo.