Sky gets ‘ground-breaking’ New Zealand Rugby agreement over the line DetailsJoseph O'Halloran | 14 October 2019 In what the two parties are calling a revolutionary deal enabling the pay-TV operator to deepen its investment in all levels of the sport, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has become a shareholder in Sky New Zealand as part of a new broadcast agreement extending the latter’s existing broadcast rights.The five-year agreement includes the rights to broadcast rugby in New Zealand from 2021 to 2025; what is said to be a record investment in New Zealand and SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australian and Argentinean) rugby; and the Kiwi governing body taking a 5% equity in Sky. The broadcast rights include exclusive coverage of all Investec Rugby Championship, Steinlager Series, Investec Super Rugby, Mitre 10 Cup and all New Zealand’s other domestic competitions, including women’s competitions like the Farah Palmer Cup.Commenting on the deal, NZR chief executive Steve Tew said that the governing body was delighted with the new agreement which he said clearly signalled that Sky and NZR had a strong commitment to grow the game in the face of the challenges and opportunities that a rapidly changing broadcast, entertainment and sporting world present. “This is a great result for NZR – we not only have a vastly experienced broadcast partner, but we have a partner prepared to work and invest with us in initiatives that will help grow the game over a prolonged period of time,” Tew remarked. “For rugby in New Zealand, this is a hugely significant agreement that secures the long-term financial health of our game.Sky NZ CEO Martin Stewart added: “Our commitment is to deliver rugby to all New Zealanders in ways that work for them, including streaming, broadcast over our satellite and free-to-air on Prime. This partnership with NZR cements our shared commitment...A special part of this deal is the 5% equity stake that NZR is taking in Sky. We have long known that there is mutual benefit when each of us succeeds, and we’re pleased that NZR is becoming an investor in Sky.Sky NZ will seek formal approval from shareholders to complete the NZR deal when it holds its AGM on 17 October.