Spark Sport possibly to be sold

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quickymart

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#302730 15-Dec-2022 13:22

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/spark-said-to-be-ready-to-offload-spark-sport-tvnz-probable-buyer/5YMCWYYQQZBTNLFGDJ7CUV4ZFY/ (paywalled)
Apparently Spark are in talks with TVNZ. I'm honestly surprised Spark held on for as long as they have.

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#3010342 15-Dec-2022 13:43

Its a logical step for TVNZ,

Although I'm not sure how a commercial pay offering fits in with the Government's plan for a merged public service broadcaster.?

rugrat

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#3010399 15-Dec-2022 16:00

Be interesting to see if they are just after the content rights, or will keep running it as a streaming pay for sports.

alasta

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#3010420 15-Dec-2022 17:12

Spark/Telecom always seem to end up divesting anything that is not part of their core business. Yellow Pages, Ferrit, Lightbox, etc.

insane

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#3010470 15-Dec-2022 20:21

They probably know that people will be looking to trim their discretionary spending soon, and will have all the data on what people are watching. If viewing metrics are on the decline, what could they do to dramatically change that without spending up large on new content, which will in turn push up the sub price? Loosing the English Premier League rights to SKY for 6 or 9 years wouldn't have helped either.

Was a great service, for the most part it just worked.

cokemaster

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#3010480 15-Dec-2022 21:03

I think it is more likely that Spark Sport requires an infusion of capital to retain/grow their licensed content or their infrastructure/operating costs.
Given how they focus on cost reduction on a near annual basis, I don't think a previous leaderships 'vanity project' will make the cut... unless it brings in the $$$.

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quickymart

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#3010553 15-Dec-2022 22:21

I can't even remember who started Spark Sport anyway - was it a Simon Moutter thing?

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dougierydal

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#3010588 16-Dec-2022 07:48

Yep, he drove the inception of it and then resigned 5 mins after it launched from memory.

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#3010592 16-Dec-2022 08:13

Went to an event where he said to me it was going to be awesome with no performance issues on day one of the world cup. Awkward.

MikeB4

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#3010599 16-Dec-2022 08:35

I am still trying to extricate myself from their last offload namely Morepork. I am about to take ADT to court, hopeless organisation.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

dougierydal

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#3010601 16-Dec-2022 08:41

TVNZ announced as the home of NZ Cricket for 3 years from 23-24 season, Spark Sport was halfway through a 6 year deal, and have 'exited the streaming market'.

Wonder what that will look like? Free to air obviously but I wonder what cuts etc will be made. To be shown on a combination of TVNZ 1, Duke and live streamed on TVNZ+

GV27

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#3010603 16-Dec-2022 08:49

F1 fans now have to buy F1 Pro, hopefully we don't see the prices of that spike up past the $100 it costs now for a season (a good deal, but if there's no competition I'd expect it to get hiked).

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c0ld

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#3010606 16-Dec-2022 08:58

GV27:
F1 fans now have to buy F1 Pro, hopefully we don't see the prices of that spike up past the $100 it costs now for a season (a good deal, but if there's no competition I'd expect it to get hiked).

Not a fan of having to wait 2 days to watch a replay on F1TV (even Pro subscription - so watch live or wait 2 days) rather than instant on-demand SS offers now.

Reading the support email - will SS not be showing any of the 2023 season? Or up until July 2023 when the SS service closes? It mentions free access to F1TV Pro ending immediately but not the races still being broadcast on SS itself..

Last lap for Formula One
This also means that Spark Sport will no longer be the home of F1 and free access to F1TV Pro will be coming to an end from 31 December 2022. But if you love the roar of the racing, you can subscribe directly at F1TV Pro

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#3010609 16-Dec-2022 09:11

c0ld:

Not a fan of having to wait 2 days to watch a replay on F1TV (even Pro subscription - so watch live or wait 2 days) rather than instant on-demand SS offers now.

Not sure how that works? I have F1TV Pro and you can watch the full replay anytime

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#3010610 16-Dec-2022 09:11

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/free-cricket-is-back-spark-exits-sport-tranfers-content-to-tvnz/3CHKBFY7EFB5JMJ2EPCUXKDPAM/ :

The Herald understands that TVNZ will take over the production of domestic cricket, but that Spark will continue to pay NZ Cricket the rights fee over the remaining three years of its contract.

I guess TVNZ got the remains of Spark sports with fire sale pricing.

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afe66

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#3010611 16-Dec-2022 09:17

Bugger.
That's annoying. I have little faith in tvnz or sky offering on on demand streaming sport service.

I'll be paying for f1pro most likely.

Does this mean commentary might return to radio?

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