TV providers battle to attract online viewers

Sky is expected to announce new packages that will allow fans to watch Super Rugby on the internet. Photo / Photosport

Sky Television is making top rugby and motorsport events available to nonsubscribers online.

It is expected Sky will tomorrow announce new packages enabling sports fans to tune into Super Rugby, the NRL and Formula One on the internet.

A "Fan Pass" will allow Sky sports channel nonsubscribers to pay to access events or channels on a part or whole-season basis.

"This is a new internet product from us that we are sure will be popular with fans who may not subscribe to our regular sports packages," a Sky Television spokeswoman said.

New Zealand television providers are battling to attract online viewers before global internet TV giant Netflix launches here next month.

The changing face of New Zealand television will see TV3 tackling uncharted territory here when it live streams upcoming hit show The X Factor. It will be the first time a New Zealand network has live streamed a major entertainment programme at the same time as the TV broadcast. Other big-money reality TV shows TV3 will broadcast this year are The Bachelor NZ, MasterChef NZ and The Block.

TVNZ has added Our First Home to its reality TV roster. Its popular on-demand service hit a new high last year with a record 6.3 million streams in October.

Spark is also offering a 12-month free subscription to video-on-demand service Lightbox to its broadband subscribers.

Sky subscriber numbers have soared in the past decade, mainly because of its domination of live sports. However, in 2013 Sky lost the rights to the English Premier League football and top golf to Coliseum Sports Media, which has also expanded its on-demand content by introducing live French rugby.

And Maori Television has secured exclusive rights to screen the UK Super League rugby in New Zealand.