Olympic rights renewed by Sky in New Zealand

Pay-television broadcaster Sky TV has extended a rights deal in New Zealand and the Pacific region for the Olympic Games.

The rights will run from 2018 to 2024 on all media platforms, covering two summer editions of the Olympics and two winter Games.

The deal covers New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

“Together we will ensure the best possible coverage of every Olympic Games, including on free-to-air television," IOC president Thomas Bach said. “Long-term partnerships mean the IOC is able to redistribute revenue to support the Olympic movement, to support the development of sport at all levels around the world and ultimately support the athletes themselves.”

IOC vice-president John Coates, delegate IOC Member for broadcast rights in Oceania, added: “We have worked closely with Sky since the Olympic winter Games in 2010 in order to deliver extensive coverage on Sky’s platforms in New Zealand. This includes a commitment of at least 200 hours of Olympic Games and 100 hours of Olympic winter Games on free-to-air, whilst also ensuring that comprehensive coverage is available throughout the Pacific Islands.”