‘Ageing’ Sky TV trucks jeopardise sports broadcasts

Sky Television says there is an imminent risk of interruptions to live sports broadcasts because some of its outside broadcasting trucks are at the end of their life and could break down.

The problem would be solved if it was allowed to sell its outside broadcasting subsidiary OSB and outsource their filming to United States company NEP, it told the Commerce Commission.

Sky said four of its six outside broadcasting trucks were ‘‘at or near’’ the end of their expected 10-year life.

‘‘If one or more of those trucks fail – partially or fully – then Sky risks not having enough broadcasting equipment to meet its contractual obligations to sporting organisations,’’ it told the watchdog.

The warning was delivered after the commission voiced concerns over the possible competition impacts of Sky’s plan to sell its outside broadcasting subsidiary OSB to NEP New Zealand, which would then film events for Sky for the next 10 years.

Sky said the arrangements would give NEP an incentive to address the short-term risk of any of the trucks failing, which NEP could do by importing equipment if it was needed from Australia.

The commission fears the arrangements might leave NEP as the only company practically able to film some sports and restrict the ability of companies other than Sky to compete for rights.

The Commerce Commission expects to make a final decision on whether to clear the sale of OSB to NEP by the end of February.