Coliseum Sports Media "remains the only way" to see English Premier League live in New Zealand as the Internet-based provider "sets its sights on the big three of rugby, league and cricket," according to Sarah Harvey of STUFF. The company "continues to test the traditional dominance of Sky Television." Sky shows delayed replays of some EPL matches. Sky still has the rights for rugby, cricket and league in NZ. Sky has secured SANZAR and New Zealand Cricket rights through '20 and has a five-year deal with the NRL through '18 "but has lost the rights for the EPL and the main golf tours to Coliseum." The battle "is also being fought on price lines." Sky announced in May it was increasing its basic package by NZ$1.15 ($.76), to NZ$49.22 ($32.42) a month, and the sports package by NZ$1.61 ($1.06) to NZ$28.29 ($18.64). Coliseum has kept the prices for its Premier League Pass at NZ$199 ($131) for the final year of its three-year deal. The rights come up in '16. Coliseum CEO Tim Martin said that further expansion overseas "would give the company more buying power when it came to the New Zealand market." Martin: "I think it would be quite useful for that. The world is such a big place and there are opportunities with this technology. Because of the Internet you are not limited by a sales force, or hindered by geography" (STUFF, 8/2).
