Sky sign five-year deal with NZRU

Sky Television has signed a five-year deal with the NZRU. Photo / Greg Bowker

Sky Television has announced the signing of a conditional five-year deal with New Zealand Rugby and SANZAR from 2016.

A long form agreement will follow, the company has announced.

The deal will include All Blacks tests, Super Rugby and ITM Cup matches.

"We are really pleased to have signed this agreement and are working hard to finalise the paper work. Kiwis are madly passionate about rugby and nothing is more popular to watch than live All Blacks matches on Sky," Sky chief executive John Fellet said.

Chief Executive of New Zealand Rugby Steve Tew said he is thrilled with the deal.

"This will provide a platform to showcase our game at all levels and further secures the future of rugby in this country," Tew said.

"We will now move to finalise the agreement and will comment further once SANZAR concludes rights agreements across all territories, which is an ongoing process."