Sky TV has landed the broadcasting rights for the 2022 and 2026 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
The deal is built on the platform’s strong relationship with the New Olympic Committee (NZOC).
Sky CEO Martin Stewart commented: “As the Home of Sport, being able to showcase New Zealanders competing on the world stage in the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games is incredibly important to us. It is our privilege to have the Summer, Winter and Youth Olympic Games, and we’re delighted to now have the Commonwealth Games returning to Sky and Prime.
Kereyn Smith, CEO and Secretary General of the NZOC added: “The deal also enables us to strengthen our longstanding partnership with the NZOC, and we look forward to working together to deliver these special events to New Zealanders.
“Every four years the Commonwealth comes together to celebrate sport and our shared history. Our athletes test themselves against some of the best in the world and we are delighted to be working with a rights-holding broadcaster that has proven they are experts in their field.
“We also welcome Sky’s ongoing support of the New Zealand Team as they extend their long-standing partnership with us through until 2026.”
As rights-holding broadcaster, Sky will deliver all the Birmingham 2022 events live on multiple Sky Sport channels, streamed on Sky Go (free for Sky customers) and Sky Sport Now.
As part of the deal, Sky will is seeking to provide innovative options for New Zealanders to follow the sports and athletes at the games, both in the lead-up to and during the Games. A key part of the deal is Sky’s ongoing commitment to free-to-air coverage of major international events.
Insider Insight: Birmingham 2022 acts as a key step in the evolution and continued diversification of sport, it marks the first Commonwealth Games to have more women’s medal events than men’s, and youth, equality and diversity are key themes for the event. The fact that it will get global exposure through key broadcasters is imperative to the games and its engagement.