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Podcast: Weekend Sport with Jason Pine
Episode: Hamish McLennan: REA Group Chair on Sky's top-level rugby broadcasting deal, the necessity of broadcasting sports in New Zealand
Description: 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 gras...