1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,347 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,547 Speaker 1: from News Talk z. 3 00:00:11,587 --> 00:00:15,507 Speaker 2: EDB Weekend Sport. We've been talking the freshly signed broadcast 4 00:00:15,507 --> 00:00:18,467 Speaker 2: deal announced yesterday between New Zealand Rugby and Sky. Gary 5 00:00:18,467 --> 00:00:21,587 Speaker 2: Birchett is head of sport content at Sky and joins 6 00:00:21,667 --> 00:00:24,027 Speaker 2: us now, good afternoon, Gary. How happy are you with 7 00:00:24,147 --> 00:00:24,787 Speaker 2: this outcome? 8 00:00:25,707 --> 00:00:28,187 Speaker 3: Jason, good day to you and to your listeners. Are 9 00:00:28,347 --> 00:00:32,867 Speaker 3: tremendously happy, yes, and rightly so. You know, rugby is, 10 00:00:33,387 --> 00:00:36,707 Speaker 3: you know, the backbone of sporting passions in this country, 11 00:00:37,267 --> 00:00:40,427 Speaker 3: and the black ferns and the all blacks. You know, 12 00:00:40,467 --> 00:00:43,947 Speaker 3: they're the strongest product we have. They're a huge driver 13 00:00:43,987 --> 00:00:46,987 Speaker 3: for subscription, They're a huge talking point in this country. 14 00:00:47,027 --> 00:00:50,707 Speaker 3: So to secure that high quality rugby for another five 15 00:00:50,787 --> 00:00:54,347 Speaker 3: years is a wonderful shot in the arm for us, 16 00:00:54,507 --> 00:00:57,747 Speaker 3: for nz R and for rugby fans in our Tatar role. 17 00:00:58,467 --> 00:01:03,347 Speaker 2: Were there any particular sticking points, any challenging parts of 18 00:01:03,347 --> 00:01:06,187 Speaker 2: this negotiation that has taken us to what are we 19 00:01:06,627 --> 00:01:10,387 Speaker 2: getting towards the end of August before everything was locked away? 20 00:01:11,347 --> 00:01:13,267 Speaker 3: Well, I think I think we can be both be 21 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:15,267 Speaker 3: pretty candid and know that the talks went on for 22 00:01:15,307 --> 00:01:18,547 Speaker 3: some time, right, it's you know, when you're looking to 23 00:01:18,547 --> 00:01:21,187 Speaker 3: secure you know, rights for this period and few ends 24 00:01:21,227 --> 00:01:24,067 Speaker 3: that are and you're looking for the right partner. Of course, 25 00:01:24,867 --> 00:01:27,107 Speaker 3: there are going to be sticking points, and I wasn't 26 00:01:27,347 --> 00:01:29,947 Speaker 3: at the negotiating table, so I'm not privy to what 27 00:01:29,987 --> 00:01:34,227 Speaker 3: the minutia was for those sticking points. But looks as 28 00:01:34,227 --> 00:01:38,467 Speaker 3: someone who's charged with entertaining sports fans and my job 29 00:01:38,507 --> 00:01:40,267 Speaker 3: is to make the rugby look great, all I can 30 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:43,067 Speaker 3: say is that it set me up for a superb 31 00:01:43,067 --> 00:01:48,787 Speaker 3: weekend and it's just a wonderful and invigorating development just 32 00:01:48,827 --> 00:01:52,227 Speaker 3: for my colleagues, you know, who work week in week out, 33 00:01:52,347 --> 00:01:54,907 Speaker 3: you know, putting on you know, such high quality rugby 34 00:01:54,907 --> 00:01:57,347 Speaker 3: for our sports fans. So we look, We're thrilled. 35 00:01:57,507 --> 00:01:59,907 Speaker 2: As a business that operates in the pay per view space. 36 00:02:00,347 --> 00:02:02,387 Speaker 2: Are you on board with New Zealand rugby and other 37 00:02:02,427 --> 00:02:05,187 Speaker 2: sports as well, Gary wanting free to wear elements in 38 00:02:05,227 --> 00:02:08,427 Speaker 2: their broadcast deals? Yeah, of course. 39 00:02:08,427 --> 00:02:10,467 Speaker 3: And if I was on the other side, I'm looking 40 00:02:10,467 --> 00:02:12,627 Speaker 3: for exposure. I'm looking for as many eyeballs as I 41 00:02:12,667 --> 00:02:17,307 Speaker 3: possibly can. But we have, you know, and presently do 42 00:02:17,387 --> 00:02:20,587 Speaker 3: have a freeoware platform in Sky open and a number 43 00:02:20,627 --> 00:02:24,267 Speaker 3: of our media rights agreements specify that a certain number 44 00:02:24,267 --> 00:02:27,587 Speaker 3: of matches need to be on free toowaar TV. So 45 00:02:30,027 --> 00:02:31,747 Speaker 3: it's nothing new. I guess TV three is just a 46 00:02:31,747 --> 00:02:34,707 Speaker 3: newer and a shinier model. It's going to garner more eyeballs, 47 00:02:34,707 --> 00:02:38,307 Speaker 3: so absolutely, and it's a great way to increase the 48 00:02:38,307 --> 00:02:40,787 Speaker 3: profile of a sport and get more New Zealand as 49 00:02:41,307 --> 00:02:42,427 Speaker 3: cheering around their teams. 50 00:02:42,787 --> 00:02:45,467 Speaker 2: So Sky now owns TV three. So are you keen 51 00:02:45,507 --> 00:02:47,387 Speaker 2: to see in the future free to wear sport on 52 00:02:47,427 --> 00:02:47,947 Speaker 2: TV three? 53 00:02:50,107 --> 00:02:54,387 Speaker 3: Yes, but very selfishly speaking, the Sky Sports subscriber must 54 00:02:54,467 --> 00:02:58,467 Speaker 3: come first. They're the ones that put you know, money 55 00:02:58,467 --> 00:03:00,667 Speaker 3: into the coffers, but they're also the ones that help 56 00:03:00,747 --> 00:03:03,267 Speaker 3: finance such deals that we've just done with New Zealand Rugby. 57 00:03:04,187 --> 00:03:06,947 Speaker 3: It is you know, the hard working coin from our 58 00:03:06,987 --> 00:03:11,467 Speaker 3: subscribers that helps generate our productions and allows us to 59 00:03:11,467 --> 00:03:15,547 Speaker 3: secure the right. So yes, I am absolutely comfortable with 60 00:03:15,867 --> 00:03:21,387 Speaker 3: sport being on free to wear, But the way I 61 00:03:21,427 --> 00:03:23,267 Speaker 3: operate and the way Sky operates, we have to be 62 00:03:23,347 --> 00:03:25,267 Speaker 3: very loyal to our loyal customers. 63 00:03:25,507 --> 00:03:29,187 Speaker 2: How much of an anchor are or how much sorry, 64 00:03:29,227 --> 00:03:33,987 Speaker 2: how much of an anchor is rugby for your sports subscribers. 65 00:03:33,587 --> 00:03:36,507 Speaker 3: It's huge. Like one of the first things I did 66 00:03:36,507 --> 00:03:38,547 Speaker 3: when I came into the role was to go to 67 00:03:38,547 --> 00:03:42,667 Speaker 3: the customer team and just to understand the drivers for subscription. 68 00:03:43,387 --> 00:03:45,787 Speaker 3: And I don't think it would surprise you that the 69 00:03:45,867 --> 00:03:49,107 Speaker 3: number one sport as to why people would subscribe to 70 00:03:49,147 --> 00:03:53,507 Speaker 3: Sky is rugby. Number two is NRL number three, And 71 00:03:53,507 --> 00:03:55,747 Speaker 3: this was the fun that really surprised me is motorsport. 72 00:03:57,027 --> 00:03:59,827 Speaker 3: So yeah, I mean, rugby is far and away the 73 00:03:59,867 --> 00:04:02,627 Speaker 3: sport that has made New Zealand famous. The All Blacks 74 00:04:02,707 --> 00:04:07,467 Speaker 3: are an international brand there. When people talk about, you know, 75 00:04:07,507 --> 00:04:11,107 Speaker 3: such distinguished you know, sporting teams, you think about the Yankees, 76 00:04:11,307 --> 00:04:14,187 Speaker 3: you think about Real Madrid, you think about Manchester United, 77 00:04:15,347 --> 00:04:17,307 Speaker 3: and you think about the All Blacks. So they're in. 78 00:04:17,427 --> 00:04:19,387 Speaker 3: They're in that realm. I mean, they are such a 79 00:04:19,387 --> 00:04:23,107 Speaker 3: big deal, which is why we're absolutely delighted that we 80 00:04:23,147 --> 00:04:25,827 Speaker 3: can continue being partners with NZR and the Black Ferns 81 00:04:25,827 --> 00:04:27,307 Speaker 3: and the All Blacks for the next five years. 82 00:04:27,867 --> 00:04:29,987 Speaker 2: And Zell and Rugby has reserved the right to play 83 00:04:30,027 --> 00:04:32,387 Speaker 2: up to five offshore All Blacks and Black Ferns matches 84 00:04:32,427 --> 00:04:35,507 Speaker 2: respectively over the five year term. They will sort of 85 00:04:35,547 --> 00:04:40,147 Speaker 2: outside this broadcast agreement negotiated on a match by match basis. 86 00:04:40,387 --> 00:04:43,467 Speaker 2: Well Sky bid to broadcast those games. 87 00:04:44,387 --> 00:04:49,667 Speaker 3: I think you know the answer to that. If there's 88 00:04:49,707 --> 00:04:52,547 Speaker 3: All Blacks or Black Ferns available, Yeah, I mean, we'd 89 00:04:52,587 --> 00:04:55,427 Speaker 3: want to be in the running. And we can understand 90 00:04:55,467 --> 00:04:58,867 Speaker 3: and appreciate he's going to Rugby wanting to take certain 91 00:04:58,907 --> 00:05:03,147 Speaker 3: matches outside of this territory completely. I completely get it. 92 00:05:03,147 --> 00:05:05,467 Speaker 3: I mean, I'm personally looking forward to to watching the 93 00:05:05,547 --> 00:05:08,547 Speaker 3: All Blacks take on Ireland in Chicago. And I guess 94 00:05:08,547 --> 00:05:11,947 Speaker 3: what a lot of people don't know is that Sky 95 00:05:12,067 --> 00:05:14,707 Speaker 3: Sports is actually the production partner and host broadcaster of 96 00:05:14,787 --> 00:05:17,307 Speaker 3: that event. So our directors and our producers and our 97 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:21,507 Speaker 3: key broadcast personnel will be working alongside American crew to 98 00:05:21,547 --> 00:05:24,627 Speaker 3: put on that test match. And I think I think 99 00:05:24,627 --> 00:05:26,587 Speaker 3: that's going to be a consideration for ends that are 100 00:05:26,787 --> 00:05:28,987 Speaker 3: that they know there's one thing about actually having the 101 00:05:29,027 --> 00:05:30,347 Speaker 3: rights to the match, but who's going to stage it, 102 00:05:30,347 --> 00:05:32,587 Speaker 3: who's going to put on the production. The wonderful thing 103 00:05:32,587 --> 00:05:35,347 Speaker 3: about Sky is that we've been in people's lounge rooms 104 00:05:35,387 --> 00:05:38,347 Speaker 3: and screens for the best part of thirty years showcasing rugby. 105 00:05:38,787 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 3: We have a proven reputation of putting on high class 106 00:05:41,707 --> 00:05:44,107 Speaker 3: rugby productions, and that I know that gives ends and 107 00:05:44,187 --> 00:05:45,307 Speaker 3: a lot of comfort. 108 00:05:45,547 --> 00:05:49,067 Speaker 2: When that sort of negotiation period comes around, when we 109 00:05:49,107 --> 00:05:51,067 Speaker 2: know when and where these matches are going to be, 110 00:05:51,107 --> 00:05:53,547 Speaker 2: the ones that sit outside the agreement, how do you 111 00:05:53,587 --> 00:05:55,547 Speaker 2: even start their negotiation? Gara? How do you know what 112 00:05:56,427 --> 00:05:59,507 Speaker 2: you know the right to one game are actually worth? 113 00:06:00,267 --> 00:06:02,147 Speaker 3: Really good question. I don't know the answer to that, 114 00:06:02,507 --> 00:06:05,667 Speaker 3: And you know, I was having a think about that. 115 00:06:05,707 --> 00:06:08,067 Speaker 3: Those value I mean, I guess you know, valuations are 116 00:06:08,067 --> 00:06:11,267 Speaker 3: also sort of index to performance. So if teams and 117 00:06:11,347 --> 00:06:14,987 Speaker 3: leagues are doing particularly well and they're rating well, you know, 118 00:06:14,987 --> 00:06:17,907 Speaker 3: there's a lot of market support, the commercialization is healthy. 119 00:06:18,067 --> 00:06:20,507 Speaker 3: Then I think that also adds to, you know, the 120 00:06:20,507 --> 00:06:24,187 Speaker 3: conversation on how you actually price up an event. But 121 00:06:24,507 --> 00:06:27,107 Speaker 3: you know, look, I think there is an appetite absolutely 122 00:06:27,147 --> 00:06:29,667 Speaker 3: to take the New Zealand all Blacks and black Ferns 123 00:06:29,787 --> 00:06:33,227 Speaker 3: rugby team brands globally to you know, to build an 124 00:06:33,227 --> 00:06:35,547 Speaker 3: international fan base, and we're really wholly supportive of that. 125 00:06:36,707 --> 00:06:39,387 Speaker 3: It's a it's a really pragmatic way of thinking, and yeah, 126 00:06:39,427 --> 00:06:40,827 Speaker 3: absolutely we want to be we want to be at 127 00:06:40,827 --> 00:06:42,707 Speaker 3: the table. We certainly, we certainly want to have more 128 00:06:43,707 --> 00:06:46,667 Speaker 3: you know, teams in black paraded on Sky Sports screens. 129 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:48,827 Speaker 2: All right, and with the rights locked in now for 130 00:06:48,867 --> 00:06:50,947 Speaker 2: the next five years. You've always been a big fan 131 00:06:51,307 --> 00:06:54,187 Speaker 2: of innovation and broadcast coverage. Are you're keen to do 132 00:06:54,267 --> 00:06:57,067 Speaker 2: some new and different things in your rugby coverage over 133 00:06:57,067 --> 00:06:58,107 Speaker 2: the next five years? 134 00:06:58,467 --> 00:07:01,907 Speaker 3: I really am, Yes, I think you know. I've always 135 00:07:01,907 --> 00:07:05,627 Speaker 3: taken the view that our job as broadcasters and storytellers 136 00:07:05,667 --> 00:07:07,907 Speaker 3: is to bring people closer to the sports that they love. 137 00:07:08,907 --> 00:07:12,747 Speaker 3: I've had I've had wonderful opportunities to do with with 138 00:07:12,827 --> 00:07:15,307 Speaker 3: Big Bash League, you know, putting putting cameras in the 139 00:07:15,307 --> 00:07:19,107 Speaker 3: hats of umpires and in helmets of batters. You know, 140 00:07:19,387 --> 00:07:22,467 Speaker 3: I was involved in the technology where we mike'd up 141 00:07:22,467 --> 00:07:26,307 Speaker 3: Shane Warren ball by ball. So yeah, innovation is a 142 00:07:26,387 --> 00:07:30,307 Speaker 3: really important part of our work. A we do need 143 00:07:30,347 --> 00:07:32,067 Speaker 3: to bring our viewers close to the sport. We need 144 00:07:32,107 --> 00:07:33,747 Speaker 3: to make sure that they feel like they're watching a 145 00:07:33,747 --> 00:07:36,787 Speaker 3: premium event. So there's some really cool technology. And I 146 00:07:36,827 --> 00:07:39,187 Speaker 3: know you're a football fan. You might have seen the 147 00:07:39,227 --> 00:07:41,987 Speaker 3: body cams, yes, that they've be have been trialing and football, 148 00:07:42,027 --> 00:07:43,947 Speaker 3: so there's like a little stabilized camera. You put it 149 00:07:43,987 --> 00:07:46,147 Speaker 3: on the ref, and because the ref is pretty much 150 00:07:46,187 --> 00:07:48,427 Speaker 3: following the ball, it's almost like you've got a camera 151 00:07:48,507 --> 00:07:51,427 Speaker 3: person just following and tracking the live action. I mean, 152 00:07:51,427 --> 00:07:55,587 Speaker 3: that is a really intimate way of bringing the game, 153 00:07:55,787 --> 00:07:58,467 Speaker 3: you know, to football supporters. So yeah, I mean I'm 154 00:07:58,507 --> 00:08:01,027 Speaker 3: always up for a conversation with any of our sporting 155 00:08:01,067 --> 00:08:03,427 Speaker 3: codes to try and elevate the viewing experience. 156 00:08:03,627 --> 00:08:05,427 Speaker 2: Well, congress to you and the team at Sky for 157 00:08:05,547 --> 00:08:07,987 Speaker 2: securing right, he writes over the next five years. Really 158 00:08:07,987 --> 00:08:10,387 Speaker 2: appreciate your insight this afternoon, Gary, thanks for joining us. 159 00:08:10,627 --> 00:08:11,547 Speaker 3: I appreciate your support. 160 00:08:11,627 --> 00:08:14,027 Speaker 2: Jason, thank you, No, thank you, Gary, Gary Birchett, head 161 00:08:14,147 --> 00:08:16,187 Speaker 2: of Sport Content at Sky. 162 00:08:17,027 --> 00:08:20,187 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 163 00:08:20,307 --> 00:08:23,587 Speaker 1: to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow 164 00:08:23,627 --> 00:08:25,227 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.