Pay-television broadcaster Sky New Zealand has agreed a one-season rights deal with New Zealand Football that will grant regular television coverage of the domestic top-tier Premiership for the first time.
Under the deal, Sky will carry 32 of the club competition’s 59 matches live throughout the 2015-16 season with at least two matches per round to be shown. A weekly 30-minute highlights package will also be part of the schedule.
The televised action begins on November 8 with a clash between Auckland rivals Auckland City FC and Waitakere United. From there the season will include a weekly televised Thursday night match with another game covered live on Sunday afternoons. The March 2016 semi-finals and the Thursday night grand final will also be shown live.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin said: “We have repeatedly stated it is our aim to increase the popularity and visibility of football in New Zealand. To do that, we need to successfully link our exceptionally strong grassroots base to the international game. This is where our top level domestic competition comes in.
“By getting the ASB Premiership on television regularly, we increase our ability to showcase the pathway available to our players and we can begin to create local heroes for our young players to aspire to on their journey towards the All Whites.”