Spark Sport bags New Zealand Cricket broadcast rights

Spark Sport and New Zealand Cricket have agreed on a six-year broadcasting right deal. This deal will come into force from April 2024. As per the deal, all BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS fixtures played in New Zealand, as well as all men’s and women’s Super Smash games and the Ford Trophy one-day final will be broadcasted live on Spark Sport’s streaming platforms.

The West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Australia will all visit New Zealand in the 2024-21 season. The India and England women’s teams will also visit the Kiwis.

New Zealand Live Cricket broadcast rights

TV New Zealand partners with New Zealand Cricket

TVNZ is also partnering with New Zealand Cricket for T20 Internationals and Super Smash. TVNZ will show:

  • the first T20 International of each series live (BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS)
  • two regular-season men’s Super Smash matches per week
  • two regular-season women’s Super Smash matches per week.

Live Streaming is the future: New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive

“This is a deal which future-proofs the whole of cricket in New Zealand,” said David White, the Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket.”

“Live streaming is the future. It allows viewers to free themselves from fixed linear schedules to watch live, delayed, highlighted or clipped content when and where they choose, and on a wide range of devices.”

“Together with the free-to-air component provided by TVNZ, this accord means more cricket games than ever before will be broadcast live.”

“It’s time that we make this move now, at a time when more New Zealanders than ever – and especially young Kiwis, consume their sports content through digital devices.”

New Zealand Live Cricket Broadcast

“We believe streaming is the future so we’re immensely proud to be demonstrating its potential by hosting some world-class cricket series for New Zealanders on Spark Sport”. said Jolie Hodson, Spark Chief Executive.

“Spark’s strategy is to build a sports media business that offers viewers a range of premium domestic and international sporting events over Spark Sport at an affordable price and across a range of devices.”

“This partnership is a vital step towards this goal and cements Spark Sport’s place as a significant player on the New Zealand sports viewing landscape.”

New Zealand Live Cricket Broadcast Rights: Spark Sport Bags TV Rights

“I’m thrilled that TVNZ will be NZC’s free-to-air partner for T20 internationals and Super Smash matches.”

“These exciting men’s and women’s events will make compelling entertainment for our viewers, who have told us how much they are enjoying more sport on our channels.”

“We’re looking forward to delivering these men’s and women’s matches free-to-air to fans across the country.”