18 Feb 2022

Sky TV recaptures broadcast rights for English Premier League from Spark

10:47 am on 18 February 2022

Sky TV has recaptured broadcast rights for English Premier League football from Spark Sport.

Sky headquarters in Mt Wellington.

Sky says it has the English Premier League rights for six years. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

The pay TV operator lost the rights in 2018 when it was outbid by Spark's fledgling sports streaming service.

Sky says it has the rights for six years starting with the new 2022/23 season in August.

"Securing the content that matters most to our customers is a key part of our strategy," Sophie Moloney, Sky's chief executive, said

"Those of our Sky Sport customers who are fanatical football fans have had to purchase a second service to watch the Premier League in recent years, and it's great to now be able to offer them the Premier League as part of their wide range of sport and entertainment viewing options on Sky."

Sky currently has rights to domestic and Australian football competitions, some European Leagues and the World Cup, but Spark Sport holds the UEFA Champions League.

Securing the Premier League rights four years ago was Spark's first big win against Sky and was followed by rights to basketball, cricket and formula one motor racing.

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