The last time Three (or TV3 as it was originally known) covered the NRL free of charge was in 2002.
Following Sky’s full acquisition of Three and ThreeNow, the network is heavily strengthening its free-to-air reach:
Over 130 matches free: More than 130 total rugby league fixtures per year will be placed on Sky’s free platforms to engage the rapidly expanding Kiwi fanbase.
Live-delayed premier content: Free coverage on Three will include a weekly NRL match, select One NZ Warriors matches, women’s NRLW matches and the State of Origin series. These matches will be shown in a ‘live-delayed’ format, i.e. a live start. This means the coverage, like Sky Open, features an actual live kick-off with the inclusion of standard commercial breaks throughout.
For dedicated fans wanting uninterrupted action, Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now retain full live privileges:
Every match live: Live coverage of every single regular season game, the Finals Series and the Grand Final across the NRL and NRLW competitions.
Warriors & Origin: Uninterrupted, live access to all One NZ Warriors matches and every Men’s and Women’s State of Origin clash.
Commercial venues: Sky Venue premises (such as pubs, clubs, hotels and motels) throughout the country will continue to have seamless access to the matches.
Sky’s deal was finalised alongside Australia’s Foxtel Group and Nine Entertainment as part of a historic (A$5.3 billion / NZ$6.46 billion) media rights agreement - the largest in Australian sporting history. Sky’s individual share is estimated at roughly $61 million a year.
The trans-Tasman expansion aims to capture a New Zealand rugby league audience that has successfully tripled over the last five years.
Tonight will be the final night Sky News UK is available in NZ (as part of the overnight broadcasts on Sky News Australia - who become News24 from tomorrow).
A shame as I enjoy the coverage 6am-7am NZT when I’m up.
Would love Sky to get it as a full channel as it is on Foxtel.
The Traitors Australia season 3 premieres on Three on Sunday, August 9 at 7.30pm, continuing on Monday nights. Each episode will be shown five days after the Australian broadcast. That will put The Traitors up against another Channel 10 program, MasterChef Australia season 18, which is entering its final weeks on TVNZ.
Season 3 of The Traitors Australia was filmed at Castle Claremont in Timaru last year (same location as The Traitors NZ) with Gretel Killeen as host.
The contestants line-up and latest trailer with Australian airdate
A media launch was held at Meta’s Australian headquarters in Sydney on Tuesday this week.