Spark, rivals in talks to boost RWC success
Telecommunications firm Spark is confident internet providers will put aside their fierce rivalries and work together to ensure next year’s streaming of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) is a success.
Chief operating officer Mark Beden said Spark wasn’t scared by the problems Australia’s Optus has had streaming the Fifa World Cup.
Spark confirmed in April that it had beaten Sky Television to secure the rights to the RWC in Toyko, with Television New Zealand as its free-to-air partner.
The company last week kicked off talks with other internet providers to try to ensure that goes smoothly.
Beden would not comment on whether Spark had also begun discussions over sub-licensing the RWC to Sky, following speculation that might be a likely development.
Spark managing director Simon Moutter has indicated a subscription to watch the whole RWC online will cost about $100, and that it will also be possible to pay to watch individual games. People won’t have to be Spark broadband customers.
But the risks of making paid streaming the main way to watch the event were driven home this month by Optus’ experience in Australia.
Optus – Australia’s second largest telecommunications firm – secured the Australian rights to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.
But it was forced to surrender those rights to state-owned broadcaster SBS and refund customers this month after technical problems led to outrage and a call for an explanation from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Spark has been seeking to build up a rapport with other internet providers as part of its attempt to ensure it does better, next year.
‘‘Obviously Optus didn’t have a particularly great experience and we are looking for learnings,’’ Beden said.
Industry co-operation was very important to the success of the event, and Spark held three meetings with other internet providers last week that were ‘‘pretty well attended’’, Beden said.
‘‘We are keen to engage with the industry early, given how important this is for the digitisation of entertainment.’’
Vocus and 2degrees were at the meetings and Spark had also had a conversation with Vodafone, which was supportive, Beden said.
The next step would be more discussions at a technical level in about four to six weeks.
‘‘We are keen to engage with the industry early, given how important this is for the digitisation of entertainment.’’
Spark chief operating officer Mark Beden