Free-to-air rugby tipped to end

The days of free rugby broadcasts on prime-time TV are numbered, TV3's owner has warned.

A three-year deal giving CanWest MediaWorks, which owns TV3, the free-to-air rights to broadcast rugby is due to expire at the end of the year.

But CanWest chief executive Brent Impey says audiences are down for Saturday night Super 12 shows and are now not as crucial to its schedule.

However, TVNZ head of content Stephen Smith says his company "would be interested" in looking at taking domestic rugby.