New Zealand sports fans will be able to watch every AFL game in the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on either the Sommet Sports or SKY Sport channels.
Each week Sommet Sports will broadcast a minimum of five matches live and the remaining matches on delay. The rights include live broadcast of the Toyota AFL Finals Series matches (including the Grand Final) and a weekly highlights program that will air over 28 weeks (on holdback).
Sommet Sports and SKY Sport also have the right to broadcast all NAB Challenge preseason matches between February 12 and March 1.
SKY Television New Zealand will also broadcast AFL matches during the premiership season; one AFL premiership match per week on delay, one AFL finals match per week on delay, the Grand Final live and both ANZAC Day matches live. SKY Sport will also air a weekly highlights program first following each round of matches.
The partnerships with Sommet Sports and SKY NZ will carry AFL matches into 90 per cent of New Zealand homes.
“We’re so happy to be able to deliver to the Kiwi viewer such an exciting code. We want to thank the great support and commitment that the AFL has shown us, and we in turn will be delivering that same commitment to our loyal viewers by broadcasting arguably one of the most enthralling games available,” Andrew Reeves, Director of Sommet Sports said.
AFL general manager, broadcasting, scheduling and major projects, Simon Lethlean, said he was very pleased to announce an extension of the New Zealand broadcasting rights.
“Following the great success of the first international AFL game played for premiership points in Wellington last year, we are delighted to confirm Sommet Sports’ and SKY Sport’s extended commitment to broadcast the game.
“Making the game accessible to as many people in New Zealand as possible is vital to the growth of the AFL’s popularity,” he said.
The NAB Challenge begins on Wednesday February 12 and the AFL Premiership season commences on Friday March 14 with the Grand Final to be played on Saturday September 27.
The AFL will again play a match for premiership points in Wellington in 2014. St Kilda will play the Brisbane Lions on ANZAC Day, Friday, April 25 at Westpac Stadium.
