RWC 2011 Free-to-Air Broadcast Deal Confirmed

RWC 2011 Free-to-Air Broadcast Deal Confirmed

The consortium of broadcasters – Maori Television, TVNZ and MediaWorks TV (TV3) – has welcomed RWCL’s announcement today confirming the free-to-air television broadcast rights deal for Rugby World Cup 2011.

The deal, which confirms that in addition to Sky TV’s live satellite coverage of all 48 matches, Maori Television will be the lead free-to-air broadcaster working in partnership with TVNZ and TV3. It will see Maori Television broadcast all 48 games of the tournament and TV One and TV3 each simulcast seven key live games. Coverage on Maori Television will include 5-10% Maori language.

Details of the arrangement are:

Sky TV will broadcast all 48 matches live on satellite television;
Maori Television will broadcast all 48 games – 32 will be delayed and 16 will be live;
The 16 live free-to-air games will be shared as follows:
- Opening Match and Ceremony – Maori Television and TV One
- New Zealand vs France pool match – Maori Television and TV3
- Six other pool matches – Maori Television exclusively. These include:
Argentina vs England
South Africa vs Wales
New Zealand vs Asia 1
Australia vs Ireland
New Zealand vs Canada
South Africa vs Samoa
- Two Wellington quarterfinals – Maori Television exclusively
- Two Christchurch quarterfinals (which include New Zealand’s pool) – Maori Television, TV One and TV3
- Semifinals, bronze final and final – Maori Television, TV One and TV3
All 16 live games will be simulcast on Maori Television’s second channel, Te Reo, in 100% Maori language;
All 16 live games broadcast on the Te Reo channel will be available for simulcast on the iwi Maori radio network.

Maori Television Chief Executive, Jim Mather, said the configuration of the free-to-air rights arrangement was a good result for all parties, including RWCL, the New Zealand Government, TVNZ and TV3. He said that confirmation as lead broadcaster was a significant achievement for Maori Television, which will celebrate its sixth on-air anniversary this month (March).

“There have clearly been a lot of discussions since we initially spoke to RWCL about the broadcast rights back in September, and at the end of the discussions we believe that this is a very exciting result for Maori Television,” said Mr Mather. “We also acknowledge that our role as lead broadcaster is a major achievement, especially for a young indigenous broadcaster, and we are celebrating this success.”

Mr Mather said Maori Television looked forward to working with the RWCL and Sky Television as host broadcaster. “I want to acknowledge the Board and management of Rugby World Cup Limited for their support and patience throughout this bid process. I also acknowledge Sky Television as host broadcaster, and our partners in the consortium. As always, Maori Television looks forward to further developing our positive relationship with Sky on what will possibly be the single most important sporting event New Zealand has hosted,” said Mr Mather.

ENDS

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