Pay-television broadcaster Sky New Zealand has acquired rights for the New Zealand national team’s remaining matches in the ongoing Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup.
Sky New Zealand had earlier failed to acquire rights after the Oceania Football Confederation said the pay-television broadcaster submitted its bid too late for it to be accepted. The governing body had by then invested in a live streaming subscription service, OFC TV, for fans in New Zealand, in the absence of a television deal.
As a result of the new deal, which was reached under pressure from New Zealand fans demanding television coverage of their team, refunds will be made to supporters who paid NZ$19.99 (€12.12/$15.14) for the tournament package offered by OFC TV.
New Zealand’s final group match against the Solomon Islands, which took place today, was the first game to be shown on Sky New Zealand. New Zealand’s semi-final against New Caledonia takes place on Thursday June 8. The final and play-off for third and fourth place both take place on Saturday June 10.
The OFC Nations Cup serves as the qualifying tournament for both the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup, and the 2014 Fifa World Cup.