Age a factor as Kiwis predict viewing failure

Kiwis are nervous about watching the Rugby World Cup online through Spark Sport, with many seeing it as an unnecessary change, according to a survey commissioned by broadband comparison site Broadband Compare.

The survey found little confidence in Spark’s ability to deliver ‘‘a seamless World Cup experience’’. Only 11 per cent of people who were planning to watch the event and only 8 per cent of over55s indicated they were ‘‘extremely confident’’ it would go well.

Many current Spark Sport customers were also on the fence with 63 per cent rating the chances of a seamless experience being at least ‘‘five’’ on a nine-point scale, and 37 per cent less confident.

The survey of 1250 New Zealanders, which was weighted to represent age, gender and region, found 57 per cent did not warm to the idea of watching the rugby through Spark Sport, with more than two-thirds of people aged over 65 hostile to the idea.

Thirty-one per cent were annoyed, 16 per cent were angry, 8 per cent ‘‘devastated’’, 7 per cent sad and 18 per cent ‘‘just mildly displeased’’. Broadband Compare chief executive Gavin Male said age seemed to be a factor.

Spark spokeswoman Althea Lovell said: ‘‘While we appreciate this is the first time a major sporting event has been streamed to New Zealand ... we believe it will be a catalyst for positive change in the way Kiwis consume sports content ... We are confident people who may not have been eager to livestream before will have a world of options opened to them once they start.’’

Former Spark boss Simon Moutter said in February that he believed Spark Sport could create another 1 million armchair sports fans by lowering the cost and democratising access to sports broadcasts.

But some grumbles over Spark Sport’s coverage of English Premier League matches, suspicions fewer people than expected may have bought RWC passes, and an indication Spark does not want to invest more in internet television entertainment service Lightbox have all contributed to speculation over whether Spark will stay the course with its investment in sports. Asked to comment on speculation the take-up of RWC passes had been lower than expected, new chief executive Jolie Hodson said Spark did not intend to comment.

According to Broadband Compare’s survey, existing Sky TV subscribers were more likely to be unimpressed by the switch to online streaming, with 56 per cent saying they were not planning to sign up for a Spark Sport subscription. Fewer than a third of people over 65 were planning to sign up to Spark Sport, its survey suggested.