Free-to-air broadcasters confirmed

[Razbra]

TVNZ, TV3 and Maori TV have won the New Zealand free-to-air television broadcast rights for next year's Rugby World Cup.

Acting Rugby World Cup Minister Gerry Brownlee says the three broadcasters will between them cover the key matches including the opening match, the two quarter-finals qualifiers from New Zealand's pool, both semi-finals and the final.

The government has pitched in $3.2 million to the broadcasting deal which Brownlee says will enable New Zealanders to see key Rugby World Cup matches live, free and nationwide.

"The involvement of so many broadcasters means the games are available to the maximum viewing audience," he says.

Last year Maori Television, TVNZ and TV3 put in a joint bid, backed by the government, to cover all the World Cup matches.

Before that happened, Maori Television had put in a controversial bid of its own, backed with taxpayer funds, and would have ended up competing with TVNZ.

Those bids were withdrawn and replaced by the joint bid with the matches shared between the broadcasters.

Viewers will also be able to catch the matches on pay television network Sky, which has international rights to broadcast the Cup.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/thre...verage-3390833

[Baron Silas Greenback]

Acting Rugby World Cup Minister Gerry Brownlee

Good to see we are covered for when the Rugby World Cup minister is away. Wouldnt want any crisis to not be dealt with!

[KiwiPie]

Viewers will also be able to catch the matches on pay television network Sky, which has international rights to broadcast the Cup.

How lucky for us. And not just the matches on free-to-air but all the other matches as well.

[rotated]

Is it just me or does $3.2 million seem like a small amount for something of this magnitude?

[Razbra]

Is it just me or does $3.2 million seem like a small amount for something of this magnitude?

i'd say the canadian lot that own tv3 would have thrown in a fair bit to be included in the deal.

[Gibbit]

i'd say the canadian lot that own tv3 would have thrown in a fair bit to be included in the deal.

The Canadians haven't owned TV3 for a couple of years now. It's an investment company called Iron Bridge.

$3.2 million was a low figure because all the networks went to SKY as a united front rather than tyring to outbid each other

[Razbra]

The Canadians haven't owned TV3 for a couple of years now. It's an investment company called Iron Bridge.

$3.2 million was a low figure because all the networks went to SKY as a united front rather than tyring to outbid each other

really,so thats an aussie out fit is it?

[Gibbit]

Yeah... they own a whole bunch of stuff. Holiday Parks, TV & Radio stations, Luxury boat builders

[Bones]

A little bit off topic, but I just heard that Tonga will be based in The Hutt. About 500m from KFC. Awesome

[Toddy]

A little bit off topic, but I just heard that Tonga will be based in The Hutt. About 500m from KFC. Awesome

Is that the Naenae KFC or the one down by the library in Lower Hutt?

[Razbra]

Is that the Naenae KFC or the one down by the library in Lower Hutt?

Ah naenae, the arsehole of the world! I can say that coz Im from there....My old girlfriend who worked there would say its more Avalon than Naenae though. She was a snob.

Where on earth would Tonga be staying? The Naenae hotel? There's not really anywhere you could base a rugby team 500m from the Naenae KFC.

[Bones]

Well they're based from the Hutt Rec, maybe staying in Pharazyn St?