24 Oct 2014

Sky secures rugby rights from 2016

2:12 pm on 24 October 2014

Sky Network Television has secured a conditional agreement for the right to air New Zealand Rugby Union and other SANZAR union matches, for five years, from 2016.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw scores against the Springboks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, in the Rugby Championship.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw scores against the Springboks during a match in Wellington 2014. Photo: Photosport

Rugby is one of the company's big drawcards, and SANZAR covers matches between the New Zealand, Australian and South African teams.

Craigs Investment Partners head of wealth research Mark Lister said the agreement would give investors some comfort after Sky Television recently lost the rights to air the PGA tours, to Coliseum, as well as the Premier League.

Mr Lister said the deal would lend some support to the share price and should result in earnings being pretty solid out until the new contract runs its course.

Sky's chief executive, John Fellet, said in a statement that the company has worked hard to get the agreement, and was in the process of finalising the paperwork.

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