Back to square one for Cup bids

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

The debacle over the Rugby World Cup television rights is back to square one, with New Zealand's major broadcasters now trying to work together on a bid the International Rugby Board may yet reject.

There were no bids on the table last night, after Maori TV and TVNZ withdrew competing offers following the intervention of the Prime Minister.

The Government's latest hope is for Maori TV to lead a new bid for the free-to-air-rights, joined by TVNZ and TV3.

But the Herald understands there is no guarantee the IRB will accept the three-way offer.

The head of Maori Television (MTS) Jim Mather told Radio New Zealand today just because the broadcasters wanted to work together, approval from the IRB was "not a fait accompli".

"We need to respect the right of the IRB to make that decision," he said.

"Given their vast experience of allocating rights for many, many years in different countries I think even they would be quite surprised by the events that have happened (here)."

The board has previously rejected a joint bid because it wanted the channels to compete.

Options available to it include negotiating with Sky to show the games free-to-air on Prime, or luring a broadcaster to go for exclusive rights.

It is also understood the IRB may decide a three-way bid dilutes the coverage too much. Other practical issues include how to accommodate three commentary teams.

The Government yesterday capitulated and allowed Maori TV to be the lead bidder after it was revealed senior National ministers had given financial backing to the counter-bid by TVNZ.

Chief executives Jim Mather (Maori TV), Rick Ellis (TVNZ) and Brent Impey (TV3) met for five hours at Government House in Auckland but finished without finalising any details.

The meeting was arranged by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and facilitated by its chief executive, Maarten Wevers - who brokered the deal between Auckland Museum and the Hillary family.

John Key, who announced the new bid with Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, said it would be taxpayer-funded in some way, although not necessarily with the $3 million the Ministry of Maori Development, Te Puni Kokiri, had promised Maori TV.

He conceded the process had been flawed "and National ministers need to take their fair share of responsibility for that".

Mr Key did not name the ministers, but Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman and Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully have both had major roles.

Others involved include Associate Rugby World Cup Minister Gerry Brownlee, Finance Minister Bill English and Associate Maori Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu.

Mr McCully was yesterday accused of abusing Te Puni Kokiri chief executive Leith Comer during a meeting about the Maori TV bid, but said it was "vigorous questioning".

WATCHING THE 2011 TOURNAMENT

ON PAY TV

Sky has won the rights to show all 48 games live. It will set up the cameras and use its own commentary team.

ON FREE-TO-AIR

Whoever wins will get the rights to show the 16 best games live. These include the All Blacks' pool matches, quarter-finals, semifinals, third/fourth playoff and the final, and four other clashes of the broadcaster's choice. The rights are also to delayed coverage of the other 32 games. The pictures will be those produced by Sky, with the winning broadcaster - or broadcasters - providing their own commentary.

WHO WILL WIN FREE-TO-AIR

The Government's preferred position is for Maori TV to get the rights and then share the 16 games with Television NZ and TV3. How this will work is still being decided - and the International Rugby Board may yet reject the joint bid.