KEY POINTS:
The possible return of live All Black matches to free-to-air television is under consideration in a Government review of broadcasting.
The screening of important sporting events is one of a number of issues under the microscope as the Government looks at competition, standards and intellectual property rights in
the evolving age of digital television.
The Culture and Heritage and Economic Development ministries have begun research for the review which looks at, among other things, "the availability of premium content such as broadcast sport events".
This has been a hot topic since Sky scored exclusive rights to several competitions, including Super 14 and Tri-Nations rugby.
There is nothing at present to prevent any channel from owning particular broadcasting rights, and the review's terms of reference says there is not any "implied intention to make changes to the current settings".
A report by Citigroup gives a 65 per cent chance that the status quo be maintained, but also looks at scenarios including splitting television rights or introducing legislation to open up bidding to all broadcasters each season, which happens in Australia. It notes regulation in the UK that prevents the rights to Premier League Football from being sold to one bidder.
Progressives leader Jim Anderton, a strong advocate of airing sporting events live on free-to-air television, welcomed the review.
"The cultural development and heritage of nations shouldn't be held to ransom by one company's shares. If it's only on Sky, then only people that can pay for it can see it," he said.
"There's an open market in the UK and Australia but they have managed to set aside key events for free-to-air."
But Sky Television chief executive John Fellet said: "What stops [regulation] in most countries is that it drives the sporting culture to bankruptcy. Sky viewers are the primary funding arm for sports. Super 14 and Tri-Nations didn't exist before pay-TV came up with it, and financially couldn't exist without it."
He said Sky could retain that revenue and broadcast games live on free-to-air Prime TV, which it owns. But a system that offered compensation for lost revenue "seems like a long [shot] as the Government would take money from roads or schools and put it into funding a professional rugby competition".
National Party broadcasting spokesman Jonathan Coleman had similar reservations.
"The Rugby Union is a global business and they're competing against European clubs to keep their players. If they can't get their revenue they have to replace it from somewhere.
"Any Government, from whatever party, is going to be reluctant to regulate private businesses."
Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey said it would be inappropriate to comment until the process had passed the consultation phase.
The research is set to be completed at the end of this month, with public consultation from September to November and recommendations to be made to the Cabinet in December.
