Matches in rugby's National Provincial Championship are on track to appear on a free-to-air platform.

As Sky and New Zealand Rugby near renewal of their broadcast contract - the Herald reports agreement has all but been reached that TVNZ Plus will show live NPC games in 2026.

The deal being worked on between Sky and TVNZ would see matches split across the two networks - both screening a mix of live, delayed live and highlights.

It's understood up to three lives games a week will end up on TVNZ Plus.

The discussions come as NZR also considers the format of the provincial competition.

LISTEN ABOVE 

Matches in rugby's National Provincial Championship are on track to appear on a free-to-air platform.
As Sky and New Zealand Rugby near renewal of their broadcast contract - the Herald reports agreement has all but been reached that TVNZ Plus will show live NPC games in 2026.
The deal being worked on between Sky and TVNZ would see matches split across the two networks - both screening a mix of live, delayed live and highlights.
It's understood up to three lives games a week will end up on TVNZ Plus.
The discussions come as NZR also considers the format of the provincial competition.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

D'Arcy Waldegrave lives and breathes sport. He loves motorsport and revels in the torment of being a Warriors and Black Caps fan. Whatever the sport, big or small, he’s got a view. His non-stop enthusiasm sees him battle it out with a diverse selection of armchair commentators resulting in a sometimes explosive, but always compelling show weeknights 7pm-8pm on Newstalk ZB.

D'Arcy Waldegrave lives and breathes sport. He loves motorsport and revels in the torment of being a Warriors and Black Caps fan. Whatever the sport, big or small, he’s got a view.

Sportstalk with D'Arcy Waldegrave

Neil Barnes: On how to make the NPC as successful as Super Rugby?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/020ad942-6789-4676-93f9-b2fb006cc782/transcript