Sky TV and Spark at odds over piracy plan amid revelation 300,000 regularly watch illegal sports streams

Some 8 per cent of the population or 300,000 New Zealanders are watching pirated versions of sports events. Photo / Photosport.nz

Some 8 per cent of the adult population or 300,000 New Zealanders are watching pirated versions of sports events, according to a survey commissioned by Sky TV, while 10 per cent regularly watch pirated movies and TV.

And 69 per cent think the likelihood of getting caught is slim.

The figures were extrapolated from interviews with 1009 adults. Sky says it mirrors a recent survey conducted for NZ on Air.

The pay TV broadcaster has also proposed a solution today: that internet service providers should block websites that provide "pirate" content.

Sky general counsel Sophie Moloney says 42 countries, including Australia, already have site-blocking, and that New Zealanders favour that approach.

"The majority [68 per cent] of non-pirates say they would be happy for their ISP to block access to a pirate website if it was required by the court to do this," she says.

However, the largest ISP, Spark, is not on-board with that plan.

"While we are sympathetic to the issues faced by Sky, requiring ISPs to take on the role of 'Internet police' and block site access would be a significant step and not one that we favour," Spark corporate relations lead Andrew Pirie says.

Pirie says Spark's position is constantly under review. It could come under pressure in September next year when the telco streams the Rugby World Cup.

Source: Sky TV

It's notable all of the top-tier players opposed the (now moribund) "three-strikes" law that required them to police individuals' accessing copyright-protected music and movies - citing the cost and administrative hassle.

Pirie says Spark opposes Sky's plan for a mix of reasons but "Especially cost and hassle that would be imposed on ISPs for what in many circumstances would involve policing the content rights of third parties."

He also fears it could skew the market if some ISPs play ball but others don't.