Sky scoops netball rights

Sky has purchased the broadcasting rights for Silver Ferns matches. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Netball New Zealand has signed a four-year agreement with Sky Television to broadcast international and domestic netball matches.

Netball NZ chief executive Raelene Castle would not disclose the value of the contract, but said it was the largest commercial deal in her organisation's history.

Television New Zealand previously had the rights to broadcast home tests played by the Silver Ferns, but that deal expired at the end of 2010.

Castle told NZPA Netball NZ had been in talks with both Sky and TVNZ for four or five months over the broadcasting agreement.

Under the terms of the deal Sky will screen internationals and domestic netball on its Sky Sports channels until 2015. The broadcaster also picks up the free-to-air television rights for Prime Television.

Castle said there were reciprocal rights agreements in place to ensure Silver Ferns internationals played overseas would also be screen on Sky.

The new broadcasting deal would also cover digital content.

- NZPA