15 Oct 2019

Does securing the rugby rights ensure Sky's survival?

From Morning Report, 8:40 am on 15 October 2019

Commentators began writing obituaries for Sky Television last week when Spark Sport announced it had reached a six year deal to broadcast all cricket played in New Zealand from next April. Sky's share price immediately slumped about 20 percent to 89 cents. But it bounced back to $1.10 on news that Sky has reached a five year deal to broadcast all New Zealand rugby matches when its current contract runs out in 2021. The deal will also see New Zealand Rugby become a five percent shareholder in Sky - something rugby chief executive Steve Tew says indicates the depth of the relationship it has with the pay tv service. So, will rugby rights ensure Sky's survival? Duncan Greive is the managing editor at The Spinoff. He spoke with Gyles Beckford.