TVNZ brings live AFL to New Zealand screens
09 Sep, 2015
The AFL is pleased to announce TVNZ has been granted AFL international broadcasting rights.
TVNZ is bringing the power and pace of the AFL to Kiwi homes via its Freeview 13 pop-up channel in a multi-year deal signed with the AFL.
The three-year rights term will run from 2016 to 2018, and will also include the 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series. Coverage commences this weekend with all of the Toyota AFL Finals Series matches, including the Grand Final, will be broadcast on TVNZ with nine games (eight played live) aired over the next four weeks.
From 2016 TVNZ will broadcast a minimum of three live matches per week of the home and away season and a further two matches either live or delayed per week of the home and away season.
TVNZ’s Director of Content Jeff Latch says TVNZ is excited to be partnering with the AFL and bringing such an iconic Australian sport to Kiwi lounges in a free-to-air capacity.
“We’re not sure if it will fuel a complete change from NZ’s rugby psyche just yet but we know Kiwis will appreciate the skill and pace of the game.”
TVNZ will also air the AFL’s Weekly Highlights Program and has the rights to air key AFL events including the Season Launch, Australian Football Hall of Fame, Rising Star, All Australian, Grand Final Parade, Brownlow Medal and the AFL Draft.
AFL General Manager – Game Development, Simon Lethlean, shared this sentiment, calling TVNZ’s expanded AFL coverage a great result for fans and potential fans of the game.
“We are delighted AFL fans in New Zealand have the opportunity to watch matches live thanks to TVNZ’s coverage,” he said.
“As AFL club, AFL KiwiKick and AFL9’s participation continues to grow in New Zealand so does the interest in watching AFL matches.”
“We look forward to working in partnership with TVNZ in the coming years.”
Last month TVNZ secured free-to-air live coverage of PGA, LPGA and European Tour Golf tournaments to air on the Freeview pop-up channel platform through to the end of October.
AFL coverage will kick-off this weekend on Freeview channel 13.
TVNZ AFL broadcast rights are in addition to the current rights held by Sky NZ. Sky NZ currently broadcasts one AFL match per week of the premiership season, including the upcoming finals series.
Details:
Saturday 12 September:
14:30 AFL – Play Off West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn Hawks (Replay)
17:00 AFL – Play Off Fremantle Dockers v Sydney Swans (Live)
21:00 AFL – Play Off Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows (Live)
Sunday 13 September:
09:30 AFL – Play Off West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn Hawks (Replay)
12:00 AFL – Play Off Fremantle Dockers v Sydney Swans (Replay)
14:30 AFL – Play Off Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows (Replay)
17:00 AFL – Play Off Richmond Tigers v North Melbourne Kangaroos (Live)
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