Broadcasters have won the 'global mode' world streaming battle - ISPs say they'll stop offering the service from September.

The brazen actions of Call Plus - promoting its Global Mode method of accessing foreign television, ultimately killed the service, says media writer John Drinnan.

The Spark-owned video-on-demand service Lightbox will be bidding for streaming rights for NRL games, forcing Sky to defend its stranglehold on mainstream TV sport.

Spark says it's moving into the home security business, with a new smartphone based service named Morepork.

Streaming services have increased congestion on broadband services for the second month in a row.

New Zealand shares rose yesterday, paced by Genesis Energy, Contact Energy and Mighty River Power in a relief rally as Meridian Energy's instalment came due.

Film and television streaming firm Netflix has released its first assessment of New Zealand broadband speeds since launching in the country in March.

As video streaming services surge in popularity, Kiwis are consuming far more internet data than ever before.

Internet data usage has seen a huge rise in the past three months as users embrace a "video streaming revolution".

Spark has started a new lobbying campaign in an effort to stop the Commerce Commission setting a big wholesale price rise that will raise copper broadband prices for internet providers.

Spark has fallen from being the NZX's largest listed company by market capitalisation, valued at $6.51 billion in February, to the third largest at $5.17 billion.

On Thursday entertainment and television players Spark, MediaWorks, Sky and TVNZ fired a warning shot to Slingshot, Orcon and Bypass Network Services.

Spark, MediaWorks, SKY and TVNZ have fired a warning shot to Slingshot, Orcon and Bypass Network Services over their Global Mode service.

Spark chief executive Simon Moutter has taken a swipe at new competitor Netflix, saying the TV streaming company is taking advantage of GST loopholes.

Is it fair big companies extract hundreds of millions of dollars of profit each year from the economy, yet contribute little or nothing to fund a civil society?

Leading telecommunications company Spark actively considered becoming the cornerstone sponsor of the new Paul Henry breakfast show, but has pulled out, writes John Drinnan.

Spark has agreed to sell its Telecom Rentals business for $106 million to Australian financial services company FlexiGroup.

Spark yesterday reignited the copper pricing debate, hitting out at the Commerce Commission and Chorus after the commission set its draft price.

New Zealand shares rose yesterday, paced by Chorus as its first-half earnings met with market expectations. Xero rose to a four-month high as a seller exited the stock.