Spark Sport launches online service
Spark has launched its Spark Sport online sports service, marking the dawn of a new era of competition for Sky Television.
Despite a warning from Spark earlier this week that it might not support Android devices at launch, the company said it had got that feature ready in time.
The first big test for Spark Sport will come on Sunday when it screens the Formula One grand prix in Melbourne.
Spark Sport will be free for a month, after which it will cost $19.99 a month. Customers need to enter a credit card to start the free trial and will be automatically charged if they don’t cancel before the 30-day period ends.
Spark Sport is the first major pay-TV sports competitor to Sky Sport. Spark managing director Simon Moutter said last month that by bringing down the entry cost of sports viewing it could create another million armchair sports fans.
He described the service’s launch then as a ‘‘market changing event’’.
‘‘There has been no second player in paid sports in New Zealand for 25 years.
‘‘The main driver of accessibility in sport is price and we are bringing a new model to market that will allow potentially another million people to access sport at much lower price points and in a much more ‘choiceful’ manner.’’
Sky retains a grip on most major domestic sports codes but its share price has slumped 40 per cent since November when Spark secured coverage rights to this year’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Japan and signalled it intended to become a head-on competitor.
The RWC coverage will be priced and sold separately to Spark’s $19.99 monthly service which will provide ‘‘all you can eat’’ access to its other sports broadcasts.
Spark’s major sports rights include the English Premier League, from the next season, which starts in August; Formula One and world rally races; US National Basketball Association games; and Black Sticks and Pro-League hockey.
Programmes on Spark Sport yesterday morning comprised highlights from past events, motorcycle racing and table tennis.
Viewers need not be Spark broadband customers to subscribe to the service. But Moutter has not ruled out offering promotions for Spark Sport to Spark customers in future.