Sky Television New Zealand secured the broadcast rights to the All Blacks’ (Rugby Union) Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland. The direct-to-home satellite television service provider, which has about 620,000 subscribers, will cover matches against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Rugby Union is often regarded as the national sport in New Zealand so rights wins here are crucial.

Also included in the deal are the rights to England’s test match schedule for the next three years, as well as fall international matches played by France throughout the next two years, including two tests against the All Blacks in November 2006.