New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has teamed up with pay-television broadcaster Sky to live stream a number of upcoming national team matches online as pay-per-view events.
The All Blacks’ game against the UK Barbarians in London on November 4 will be streamed internationally, along with the team’s match against France in Lyon on November 14.
The Maori All Blacks’ clash with Canada in Vancouver on November 3 will also form part of the deal, as well as the team’s fixture with the French Barbarians in Bordeaux on November 10.
All four games will be available as pay-per-view events on AllBlacksTV.com. Coverage will be available to international and New Zealand-based fans.
Sky and Fan Pass customers will receive access to the games, as well as the Tests from the 2017 All Blacks Northern Tour, through their normal subscription. Sky will provide the broadcast feeds.
New Zealand-based fans can purchase the live stream for NZ$24.99 (€14.80/$17.49) per All Blacks game and NZ$14.99 per Maori All Blacks fixture.
The four matches will be streamed internationally on AllBlacksTV to over 150 countries. Availability is subject to location.
NZR chief executive Steve Tew said: “The live stream is a significant opportunity for us to use the latest streaming technology to grow the All Blacks global fan base. There are over seven million allblacks.com and social media followers that live outside New Zealand so there is a real opening to engage these fans and grow our brand and following internationally by extending our broadcast options.
“With the broadcast environment rapidly evolving it’s great to be partnering with Sky to try out new things. The live stream will take Sky’s world-class rugby production and commentary and use the All Blacks global channels to broadcast to more fans via the rapidly expanding on-demand streaming option.”