IRB agrees to joint Rugby World Cup TV bid

John Key discussing the decision today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has agreed to a joint bid by New Zealand broadcasters to screen 2011 Rugby World Cup games.

Prime Minister John Key said minor details were being finalised.

"My understanding is the partners have now agreed and the IRB has essentially agreed. So we are just working through one or two final finishing touches and going from there," he told reporters this morning.

"For all intents and purposes New Zealanders will be able to see on a free to air basis those big matches including the All Blacks, the semis and finals and the opening ceremony."

Maori Television, TVNZ and TV3 put in a joint bid, backed by the Government, to cover all the World Cup free-to-air matches.

Before that happened, Maori Television put in a controversial bid of its own, backed with taxpayer funds, and would have ended up competing with TVNZ.

Those bids were withdrawn and replaced by the joint bid with the matches shared between the broadcasters.

Sky TV has the international rights to the World Cup.

NZPA