Sky NZ names David Mackrell CFO as it integrates former Discovery assets

Sky New Zealand has appointed former NZME executive David Mackrell as its chief financial officer (CFO).

David Mackrell

Mackrell, who served as CFO of media company NZME since March 2019, takes the reins from Andrew Hirst, who was appointed interim CFO last January.

The move comes as Sky integrates former rival platform Discovery NZ, now branded Sky Free and encompassing Three, eden, Rush, HGTV, Bravo and BVoD service ThreeNow, after acquiring them last year.

Sky TV suffered a drop in net profits of 58% in the financial year ending in 2025, down to NZ$20.6m (US$11.8m) from NZ$49.2m the year before.

Sky CEO Sophie Moloney has ambitious plans for growth, with the successful integration of Sky and Sky Free the priority for the network in the year ahead.

“David is a highly regarded professional with deep experience working for leading customer brands in a listed environment and we look forward to his positive impact,” she said

The company forecast that Sky Free will deliver an 11-month gross revenue contribution of about NZ$85m. By the full year 2028, Sky sees potential for at least NZ$10m a year of incremental earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation on a group basis.