The most extensive free to air coverage of a Commonwealth Games in New Zealand history will be delivered as part of a new broadcast rights deal with New Zealands leading free to air broadcaster, Television New Zealand (TVNZ), it was announced today.
Even more sports fans across the globe will have the opportunity to become immersed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, taking place from 4 to 15 April 2018 on Australias Gold Coast, as TVNZ secures exclusive rights to the next edition of the Games. TVNZ will offer viewers the best of the live action every day on air through TV ONE and TVNZs sports channel in addition to live online streaming, highlights and delayed broadcasts through TVNZ OnDemand and ONE News Now.
Large viewing figures are expected with just a three hour time difference between New Zealand and the sporting action on Queenslands Gold Coast. The deal also ensures broadcasters in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are able to access live coverage and daily highlights packages to connect their passionate Pacific Islands sports fans with all the action and athletes at the XXI Commonwealth Games.
TVNZ have delivered Commonwealth Games coverage for all but the last two editions of the Games, and were the host broadcaster for both the Christchurch 1974 and Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games. This latest agreement comes after the Commonwealth Games Federations General Assembly gathered members from 71 nations and territories in Auckland in September last year, and complements the existing broadcast deals across Asia, Australia and the United States for Gold Coast 2018, Australias first Commonwealth Games since the hugely successful 2006 Games in Melbourne. A key part of the Federations strategic objectives, the CGF will retain, coordinate and sell all broadcast rights for the 2018 Games and beyond as part of a new commercial approach outlined in Transformation 2022, the Federations ambitious seven-year plan which sets out the vision, mission and strategic priorities of the Commonwealth Sports Movement.
David Grevemberg CBE, Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive, said: We are delighted to welcome back TVNZ to our family of broadcast partners for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. New Zealand has a proud Commonwealth sporting history, and thanks to TVNZs innovative and extensive plans for free-to-air coverage, I have no doubt that New Zealanders will have a memorable Games experience.
We anticipate a total global audience of over 1 billion worldwide will experience Gold Coast 2018s festival of sport through a range of international television and radio channels creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia to engage and inspire sports fans across the world.
Jeff Latch, TVNZs Director of Content, said: Nothing brings us together as a nation like a major sporting competition and thats why free to air coverage of the big events always delivers such big audiences. Kiwis love to cheer on our national athletes and with the 2018 Games so close to home, we think public interest will be very high.
Were planning to provide the most extensive free to air coverage of a Commonwealth Games in New Zealand history. Its game on! Well bring viewers all the best of the live action every day on air through TV ONE and TVNZs sports pop up channel; and online well be offering live streaming, highlights and delayed event coverage through TVNZ OnDemand and ONE News Now.
Mark Peters, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Chief Executive, said: The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be a celebration of all of Oceania. We expect to welcome many athletes and visitor from our New Zealand neighbours, so were thrilled that sports fans across the Tasman will be able to join the countdown and get close to the action of the XXI Commonwealth Games with TVNZ.
Kereyn Smith, New Zealand Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association CEO, said: The Commonwealth Games are a significant feature on New Zealands four-yearly sporting calendar and with Gold Coast taking place right on our doorstep we expect support from New Zealanders for our athletes to be greater than ever.
We look forward to working with Gold Coast 2018 and TVNZ to bring our Commonwealth Games athletes stories into the homes of New Zealanders.