TVNZ Scores Free-to-Air Rugby Win
August 22, 2025 
3 Comments
Waikato’s Chyna Hohepa celebrates the win during the Waikato v Counties Manukau, FPC Match, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron Gillions/action press, supplied by New Zealand Rugby.)
TVNZ will be the free-to-air broadcasting and streaming home of provincial rugby coverage from July next year.
Three NPC matches will screen each week on TVNZ 1, with all weekly matches streaming on TVNZ+.
Select Farah Palmer Cup matches will be broadcast free-to-view on TVNZ+ (including the finals) as well as the Heartland Championship finals.
Sky, meanwhile, as the broadcast partner for all of rugby in NZ, will screen live all NPC matches and select Farah Palmer Cup matches on Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now.
Here’s the media release:
TVNZ named free-to-air broadcast partner for Provincial Rugby
TVNZ has today been announced as New Zealand Rugby’s free-to-air Provincial Rugby partner, including the National Provincial Championship (NPC), select Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) matches, and Heartland Championship Finals, with a multi-year agreement set to begin with the 2026 season.
TVNZ will broadcast all NPC games free-to-view on TVNZ+, with selected weekly games also on TVNZ 1 in key appointment-to-view slots, bringing the energy and excitement of grassroots rugby to fans across Aotearoa.
In addition, select Farah Palmer Cup games and the Heartland Championship games will also be live and free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ’s Chief Executive, Jodi O’Donnell says, “I’m incredibly proud to be bringing rugby back to TVNZ after three decades. Provincial Rugby is woven into our country’s sporting DNA, and securing these competitions for free-to-air audiences reflects our commitment to investing in content that unites communities and drives engagement nationwide.
“There’s a strong demand for live and free sport in New Zealand, as demonstrated by the success of our existing sporting slate. This partnership with New Zealand Rugby marks a significant step in expanding our offering and delivering even greater access to audiences across the motu.”
TVNZ’s Head of Sports, Events and Partnerships, Melodie Robinson, says the return of free-to-air rugby at this scale is a major win for viewers and the sport.
“Rugby is a game close to my heart. Bringing the domestic game to free-to-air audiences on TVNZ means more fans for the code – wherever they’re based and however they choose to watch – and this will only help to inspire the next generation of supporters and players.
“I’m excited for our viewers to experience the pride, passion and rivalries that make Provincial Rugby so special.”
From round-robin clashes and knockout playoffs to the epic final crowning of the national champions, fans can enjoy even more thrilling rugby on TVNZ when the new season kicks off next July.
Of course the question is, like Netball NZ, does NZR pay TVNZ to broadcast the NPC? Or is it free content with the valuable “select Farah Palmer and Heartland Championship finals” offsetting the fee NZR would pay for the NPC to be carried? Netball NZ has set the new rights content standard IMHO. — Mike.
Completely disagree on the netball proposition Mike, the competition is going to be severely diluted next year because the broadcast deal is virtually zero. 8 of the country’s best players have departed. TVNZ aren’t paying anything it seems. TVNZ probably not paying anything much for rugby other than providing the platform but Sky doing the heavy lifting of broadcasting it. FTA is great but in a market like NZ it’s not sustainable to pay virtually nothing. —- Clint.
According to media sources TVNZ are being paid by Netball NZ to broadcast the competition in 2026. Given traditional broadcast fees aren’t being used to pay for players’ salaries and NZ Netball’s reserves will be depleted by paying the broadcaster, it is of zero surprise that players depart to teams that can pay their worth.
Bear in mind that the outside broadcasting will be by a third party (NEP) and that it’s unlikely that Sky will be paying for OSB for the NPC. So is TVNZ paying for OSB, is it paid for on a broadcaster by broadcaster basis or is NZ Rugby paying for OSB? Given Netball NZ is paying the broadcaster (TVNZ) for carriage, then is NZR paying for carriage, too?
Clearly the value of the Netball content and possibly the NPC content is zero or less than zero. Even community sports can get DTC models running where they don’t pay for their audience to watch (the audience pays for tournaments, regular games are free) – yet top-flight Netball and provincial rugby can’t. I agree the proposition is not sustainable. At least Netball has 12 months to sort it out – but a 5 year agreement for NPC? Interesting to see where NZR goes on this in the next few years. — Mike.