Netball: Sky and TVNZ in bidding war for screening rights

Sky Television and Television New Zealand are in a bidding war for the rights to screen netball.

If top-rating netball follows rugby, league, soccer and cricket and heads to pay TV, it would leave just motorsport and the Commonwealth and Olympic Games as the only live sporting events free to air.

Netball New Zealand's contract with Television New Zealand is up for renewal this month and it is understood Sky Television is pushing to get the rights to all major events - the National Bank Cup, international series and the Smokefree Championships.

Speculation that Netball New Zealand would announce a deal with Sky today has been denied by both organisations.

"That would be the first I have heard of it," Sky spokesman David Collins said.

Netball New Zealand is meeting National Bank Cup representatives today to discuss issues, one of which is expected to be television coverage.

TVNZ's relationship with Netball New Zealand spans more than a decade, but its coverage of the sport's premier domestic competition, the National Bank Cup, has come under criticism because it generally screens only one game a week.

It is understood Sky's proposal would involve showing almost every game. However, because the National Bank Cup clashes with the Super 12 and the NRL, it is likely most games would be screened on either Sky Sport 2 or 3.

Netball New Zealand has asked the franchises whether they would consider moving some of their matches from evenings to afternoons, which would alleviate clashes with the other codes.

In Sky's favour is it can also offer replays and produce netball-type shows such as Netball Weekly , which screened early this year.

TVNZ head of sport Dennis Harvey told the Herald in July that the broadcaster was happy with netball's rating and would like to continue screening it.

It is understood TVNZ has also offered to screen more games.

One of the key problems facing Netball New Zealand is whether to go for more coverage, which they would get at Sky, or stay with TVNZ, which attracts larger audiences.

For sponsors, larger audiences are more appealing.