Sky TV has locked in All Blacks, Black Ferns and Super Rugby rights until 2030 in a new deal announced this morning. 

Meanwhile, TVNZ has secured the broadcast rights for provincial rugby - including all NPC matches and select Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland Championship games. 

Sky’s newly-inked partnership with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will see the pay-TV provider broadcast live: 

• Every All Blacks match played in SANZAAR countries (including the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship, new tours between the Springboks and All Blacks, and the new “Nations Cup” tournament, when finalised). 
• Black Ferns matches played in the SANZAAR countries 
• The 2029 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. 
• The British and Irish Lions Women’s tour in 2027. 

NZ Rugby is known to be a strong advocate for more rugby to be shown on free-to-air channels. Photo / Photosport 

Meanwhile, TVNZ will become NZR’s free-to-air provincial rugby partner, which includes all NPC matches and select Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland Championship games. 

The agreement with TVNZ will see 93 provincial matches available free-to-view on TVNZ+, with three games a week in appointment viewing slots on TVNZ 1. 

These matches will also be shown live on Sky. 

“We are pleased to partner with TVNZ to provide expanded free-to-air coverage of provincial rugby. New Zealanders will have more ways to watch rugby than ever before over the next five years,” NZR chair David Kirk said. 

“We see this as a win-win-win outcome – a secure revenue stream to support NZR in investing in rugby; Sky remaining our partner and the home of rugby; and a win for our fans as they will have more options and channels for viewing rugby." 

Black Ferns winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scores against the USA.