Holmes stays after Sky buys Prime

His bosses might have changed, but $3 million man Paul Holmes is sticking around at Prime.

Holmes said yesterday that he was delighted at the conditional sale of Prime to Sky and had been assured his employment was secure.

Sky paid $30.26 million for Prime's New Zealand business.

"I've had a nice call from [Sky chief executive] John Fellet and we will meet soon and discuss where it's all got to go. I think it's great for Sky and Prime.

"It opens up amazing opportunities, and just shows it's amazing what's around the corner."

Holmes also admitted he has the small matter of his contract - understood to be $1 million a year for three years - to keep him safe for two more years at least.

He has an hour-long weekly current affairs show after his daily 7pm slot was pulled because of low ratings.

Prime Australia chief executive Warwick Syphers said his expectation was that "the business you see today will go on as it is".

Asked if Holmes' failure to crack the ratings had helped to prompt the sale, he said: "On the contrary, it gave us the profile to attract the attention of people like Sky."

Sky communications director Tony O'Brien said Sky would not comment on operational issues until it had discussed these with Prime staff "in the near future".

Alison Mau, who fronts NZ's Top 100 History Makers, also said she would stay.

"We've all been very loyal and worked hard ... It would take a lot to make me want to go, because I'm very happy there."

Prime has about a 6 per cent market share, and the Sky deal will open up more rights to delayed free-to-air coverage of sporting events, such as the rugby league and rugby Tri-Nations matches.

Also under question are the rights to the delayed free-to-air test rugby, which Sky at present licenses to TV3.

Mr O'Brien said Sky's relationships with other free-to-air broadcasters could continue "as long as they make economic sense".