Pay-television broadcaster Sky New Zealand has acquired rights to the 2019 Netball World Cup, as well as extending deals for US motor-racing series IndyCar and motorcycling series the Superbike World Championship.
Sky will serve as the official New Zealand broadcaster of the World Cup, which is being hosted by the English city of Liverpool from July 12-22. New Zealand lost to arch rival Australia in the final of the 2015 competition.
Sky’s director of sport, Richard Last, said: “Our viewers can rest easy knowing that our live broadcast will be able to be received reliably anywhere in the country. We have a proven track record of delivering these marquee international events and the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 will be no different.”
Clare Briegal, chief executive of the International Netball Federation, added: “We know that we can rely on them to deliver our keystone event and it made sense to choose a partner that has a proven track record with a large customer base.”
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Herald newspaper said Sky has also extended its rights to IndyCar through to 2021. The series, which features New Zealander Scott Dixon, was previously available to Sky customers through a partnership with sports broadcaster ESPN.
Sky has also signed a three-season extension to its rights for the Superbike World Championship, running from 2019 to 2021.