The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Sky New Zealand have agreed a long-term deal that will see Sky broadcast and stream the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as well as the 2026 Games.
The agreement is for rights across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands and it means that Sky has exclusive Commonwealth Games rights to transmit live, delayed, catch-up and on demand coverage, including highlights and clips.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from 27 July to 7 August and are set to see 71 Commonwealth nations and territories compete across 18 sports.
CGF CEO David Grevemberg CBE said: “We are delighted to announce Sky as New Zealand’s rights holding broadcaster for the Commonwealth Games in a long-term commitment that will cover Birmingham 2022 and the 2026 Games.
“Sky have demonstrated a real commitment to gender equality through its broadcast of Birmingham 2022, which will be the first major multi-sport event in history to have more women’s medal events that men’s.
“This announcement means that there will be increased coverage of women’s sport across all of Sky’s reporting of the Commonwealth Games and that is why we see this as a fantastic partnership that will inspire women and girls through the power of sport.
“I would like to thank Sky and our CGF Partnerships team for their work in putting this agreement in place and helping to help promote our values of Humanity, Equality and Destiny across the Commonwealth.”
Above: The New Zealand's men's basketball team competes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
CEO and Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) Kereyn Smith said: “Every four years the Commonwealth comes together to celebrate sport and our shared history.
“Our athletes test themselves against some of the best in the world and we are delighted to be working with a rights-holding broadcaster that has proven they are experts in their field.
“We also welcome Sky’s ongoing support of the New Zealand Team as they extend their long- standing partnership with us through until 2026.”
Sky CEO Martin Stewart said: “As the Home of Sport in New Zealand, being able to showcase New Zealanders competing on the world stage in the Commonwealth Games is incredibly important to us at Sky. It is our privilege to deliver the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to all New Zealanders across our Sky services, including satellite television, online streaming, and free-to-air on Prime. Our goal is to ensure every New Zealander can experience the Commonwealth Games in ways that work for them.
We welcome the long-term agreement that covers the 2026 Commonwealth Games as well, and the extension of our longstanding partnership with the New Zealand Olympic Committee for the same period. We look forward to working closely together, including on our shared goal to increase visibility and participation in women’s sport.”
About the CGF
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation responsible for the strategic direction of the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and associated projects and initiatives across the Commonwealth Sport Movement. Far more than a quadrennial sporting spectacle, we believe that sport is just the beginning. Working with our 71 CGAs across our six regions, and through sport, we build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities across the Commonwealth.