Spark announced it secured the exclusive rights to the Premier League in New Zealand for three years, according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. The deal, running from Aug. '19 to May '22, adds to Spark's "growing sports portfolio," which already includes the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup. In addition to the Premier League rights, Spark "also snapped up the rights" to ManU's Manchester United TV. The EPL and MUTV will be offered on a subscription basis over Spark's sport platform, which will launch by early '19. The "cost of viewing the content is yet to be announced," with Spark saying that details "will be released closer to launch" (NZ HERALD, 8/14). In Wellington, Tom Pullar-Strecker reported the rights to the current EPL season "will continue to be held" by beIN Sports, which "also offers the competition to Sky." After that, matches will be sold on a subscription basis on the new Spark "sport platform" that will launch early next year. Spark spokesperson Lucy Fullarton "confirmed people would not need to buy their broadband from Spark in order to watch." Spark Managing Dir Simon Moutter said, "This is not about using sports content simply as an acquisition or retention tool for our broadband or mobile base." Instead, Moutter said that Spark intended to be "a key player in the evolving sports media landscape" and create "a viable, future-focussed sports media business that meets consumers' desire for choice and flexibility in sports watching." Moutter said that it did not feel like a "wipe-out" play for Sky TV, but confirmed the businesses "would be competing against each other for further sports rights" (STUFF, 8/14).
