Sky New Zealand doubles down on sport content with revised ESPN deal

Sky NZ has unveiled its 2026 Super Rugby Pacific content strategy

Sky New Zealand has renewed its distribution agreement with ESPN in a multi-year agreement.

The Kiwi broadcaster carries the ESPN and ESPN2 channels on free-to-air channel Sky Sport and streaming platforms Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.

The renewed programming deal includes Major League Baseball (MLB), NFL and exclusive broadcast of the Super Bowl, NBA, NCAA Basketball & Football, Australian NBL, FIBA and NHL.

Sky NZ’s head of content partnerships, Adam Crothers, said the broadcaster’s goal was to connect customers with their favourite sport and entertainment, wherever they are in New Zealand. “ESPN is the home of US sports, and this renewal means fans can continue to enjoy its biggest names and moments – from the Super Bowl to the NBA Finals and beyond,” he said.

Sky NZ also unveiled its 2026 Super Rugby Pacific content strategy as it marks 30 years since its 1996 launch and three decades with Sky.

The satcaster will cover live matches with a 35-minute pre-match show  plus half-time and post-match analysis, including reactions, panels, dressing room interviews and fan polls. It will also expand its digital and social‑first Super Rugby content, supported by a digital video team producing highlights, reactive moments and bespoke content.