Netball: Four-year deal signed with TVNZ

More netball games will appear on free-to-air television after the sport secured a four-year deal with Television New Zealand.

TVNZ will next year screen two National Bank Cup games a week along with the semifinal and final as well as all Silver Ferns tests, Netball New Zealand confirmed in a statement today.

Previously TVNZ had screened just one National Bank Cup game a week.

The deal followed speculation in July that Sky Television had also been seeking the rights.

Netball New Zealand chief executive Shelley McMeekin would not disclose the amount of the deal but said it was a good deal for the sport.

"Netball fans have been telling us for some time that they want to see more of their sport on TV and we are pleased that TVNZ has agreed to help make this a reality," she said in a statement today.

The deal begins next year and replaces a three-year contract with TVNZ, which finishes at the end of this year.

- NZPA