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Sky TV appears to be in the box seat to secure top-level rugby rights, including the All Blacks, for another five years – at a drastically reduced rate – but fans could yet find some games on a free-to-air channel such as TVNZ or New Zealand Rugby’s own digital platform. 

The deal is reportedly worth $85 million a year, well below the existing $111 million annual deal expiring at the end of the year.  

Hamish McLennan, chair of REA Group, told Jason Pine that broadcasting deals are the central pillar in terms of driving the game beyond pathways and grassroots. 

The challenge, he says, is the balance between free-to-air content and what you keep behind a paywall. 

“You know, do you take the money or do you try and ensure that you reach the maximum amount of viewers?” 

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