Ann: Half Year Results - Announcement Date, page-21

Well, they do and they don't.

Sky sold their company Outside Broadcasting Limited (OSB) to competitor NEP in Feb last year.

https://www.nzx.com/announcements/367168

So Sky no longer produces the filming etc of live matches.

However, Sky do provide production capacity in terms of live commentary, interviews etc. So does Spark Sport.

Owning OSB was a competitive advantage back when they bought it...but once NEP entered the market that advantage disappeared as anyone else could use NEP to film events at relatively low cost.

The advantage of partnering with Sky TV is that they are the only way to realistically maximise your viewership. So if a big concern for your sport is promoting it and getting as many people to watch and engage with it - Sky TV is who you want broadcasting your sport.

SL could lobby (as much as they can as a small equity partner) to go OTT - but I do not think they would attract anywhere near the subs that NZR see with Sky TV. In the meantime, the rugby heads who also like other sports still need to keep Sky TV plus pay for the SL service - which can cause resentment/irritation. Not to mention rugby-loving rural NZ who do not have access to great internet.

Sky TV can not rest on their laurells and nothing is certain in terms of which rights they will retain etc. However, I think the Spark Sport experience is ultimately benefiting Sky TV because it has highlighted what many have taken for granted for a number of years now - that Sky TV really do offer a tremendous live sport product.