TV3 wins rights for 2007 World Cup

The New Zealand rugby watching public will be able to get the 2007 World Cup free-to-air on TV3, the network announced today.

Brent Impey, chief executive of TV3's parent company CanWest, said TV3 had beaten off a combined challenge from TVNZ and Sky to secure rights to the tournament, which is to be played in France, with some matches in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

The network will screen every All Blacks game live, along with all games from the quarterfinals onwards, Mr Impey told shareholders at CanWest's annual meeting in Auckland.

Mr Impey did not give details of the network's plans for other matches not featuring New Zealand, or the value of the agreement.

TV3 is still negotiating with Sky for next year's delayed coverage of All Blacks games.

- NZPA