Spark Sport has acquired the rights to broadcast the Rugby League World Cup in New Zealand.
Previously broadcast on Sky Sports, Spark Sport has managed to acquire exclusive broadcasting rights for an undisclosed fee this year.
Spark Sport is not ready to make a decision on whether the coverage will be including it the standard monthly subscription or a pay-per-view tournament pass like it was with RWC 2019.
However, theBit.nz can confirm that Spark Sport will broadcast the tournament in (up to) 1080p resolution. Meaning RLWC 2021, joins a long list of sports that are broadcasted in 4K internationally but downgraded for the New Zealand audience (F1, EPL, NBA, NFL, and international cricket).
“Spark Sport will broadcast the tournament in (up to) 1080p resolution”
Despite many sporting events being recorded with 4K cameras, Spark Sport continues to only offer the New Zealand public 1080p @ 30fps coverage.
The tournament is scheduled to be held in England from 23rd October to 27th November this year and will showcase 16 teams this year instead of the usual 14. The Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair events will all be broadcasted on Spark Sports.
Jonathan Neill, RLWC 2021 Commercial Director, said: “Our ambition is for RLWC 2021 to open up new opportunities for the sport and Spark Sport has shown their commitment by confirming they will show all 61 matches across the Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair tournaments.”
