Spark Sports To Charge NZ$19.99 For Online Service

Spark Sport Managing Dir Simon Moutter said that the company "could allow another one million Kiwis to watch paid sports," according to Tom Pullar-Strecker of STUFF. Spark on Wednesday revealed pricing for its online sports service, which will launch in March and cost NZ$19.99 ($13.70) a month. At that price, subscribers -- who "need not be Spark broadband customers" -- will get "all you can eat" online access to Spark's sports programming which will include the EPL, Formula 1, NBA and hockey. The service will launch with a one-month free trial and after that, "some content, such as sports highlights and some replays, would still be free." Head of Sport Jeff Latch said that Spark planned to announce deals for more sports rights "soon." He said that the additional programming would also be included within the NZ$19.99 monthly pricing. But the monthly pricing will not include the right to watch this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan in September, for which Spark has also bought the rights (STUFF, 2/20).