MP hits out at World Cup coverage

A ball is yet to be bowled at this year's ICC Cricket World Cup, but a Tauranga MP believes the New Zealand public are being 'robbed” of the excitement and inspiration the tournament holds due to a lack of free-to-air television coverage.

Tomorrow the eyes of the world – an expected TV audience of 2.2 billion – will tune in to the opening match of the 2015 showpiece between co-hosts New Zealand and Sri Lanka.


NZ First MP Clayton Mitchell believes the public are being robbed ahead of the World Cup. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

But in a world of exclusive TV rights and dollars, this will be the sole match televised free-to-air on our state television despite the event taking place in our backyard – the second tournament on New Zealand soil after the 1992 edition.

Instead, live coverage of the tournament will be broadcast to Kiwi screens via paid-for broadcasters Sky Sport.

This does not sit well with NZ First MP Clayton Mitchell, who firmly believes a large chunk of Kiwis are set to miss out on the sporting spectacle - 49 games in total - thanks to a government botch up.

In Parliament yesterday Clayton, NZ First's Sport and Recreation spokesperson, rubbished government claims that Kiwis are satisfied they have to pay for Sky TV to watch most of the games.

Directed at Minister for Sport and Recreation Jonathan Coleman, Clayton says when New Zealand hosts an international series, and when Kiwi teams are playing here, the taxpayer-funded state television should be broadcasting the matches live.

According to Jonathan, who answered a question in Parliament, Kiwis aren't the least bit bothered that their taxes, at least $5 million, have gone into hosting the games yet most of the games aren't free to watch on TV, says Clayton.

'Why should Kiwis have to pay over and over to fund state television, to put money into sport and then to a private broadcaster?” asks Clayton. 'The New Zealand public are being robbed.

'He (Coleman) assured Parliament he had not received one email about it, and is sure Kiwis will not care as they are so excited about the forthcoming matches.”

Clayton admits he has been left shaking his head at the decision, and recalls a time when cricket, rugby and tennis were all free-to-air, with sport an integral part of New Zealand's culture that motivates and instils national pride.

'I think it's time the government realised its part of that and we should have free-to-air for all our national sports,” he says.

'That's a great way for youth to be able to connect and then be able to go out and take part in the sports they watch their sporting heroes do.”

BOP Cricket development manager Tai Bridgman-Raison says the lack of coverage is disappointing given NZ is co-hosting the event and even he will be forced to look for somewhere with Sky to watch the games.

'You want everyone to watch it and enjoy it,” says Tai. 'It inspires young people to play, but if they can't even see it then that isn't going to happen.

'It is a big business and these broadcasting companies are paying lots of money for exclusive rights, and from that point I can understand it.”

A spokesperson for Jonathon Coleman says he is attending a launch at the Waitemata District Health Board and getting comment will be difficult.

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19 comments

Clayton's One Eyed View

Posted on 13-02-2015 11:20 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

We are not all sports mad. Personally I give not a jot about this event, I' am sure there is others as well. The old story goes here - if you want it then you pay for it. Sport is not essential to our health, education, or welfare and quite rightly the taxpayer should not be stumping up. (pun intended)


Agree

Posted on 13-02-2015 11:45 | By Bop man

Sporting coverage in this country to put it plainly SUCKS, unless you pay a huge amount per month you are unable to watch any sport. With Mortgage, RATES, Food very little is left to pay for TV so we can watch sport. Therefore we do not watch. Get it together government at least make it legislation that national games are to be free to air.


Choices

Posted on 13-02-2015 12:58 | By Kaimai

I'm more concerned that the Cricket World Cup and Super Rugby are on at the same time - summer sport and winter sport at the same time - a person can only watch so much sport before getting into trouble for neglecting other obligations.


You're missing the point....

Posted on 13-02-2015 13:20 | By myone

Big Ted you're missing the point... the tax payer has already (part) paid for the tournament to be hosted here so Clayton makes a good point that the games should/could be televised free to air.


Elsewhere free to air major sporting events

Posted on 13-02-2015 14:00 | By waxing

Why is New Zealand the only western developed country where there is not legislation ensuring major sporting events must be shown on free to air television? With the exceptions only of the now failed attempt of Sommet Sports, and the internet only English Premier League and now USA PGA golf, why do we allow a monopoly commercial company to lift its profits by limiting access to major sporting events for so many New Zealanders?


How?

Posted on 13-02-2015 14:07 | By CW

Just not quite sure how on earth a free-to-air channel would be able to broadcast 48 games of cricket ,some of which are on at the same time,lasting 8 hours each (or at least overlapping) over 6 weeks or so, without annoying a huge number of people who don't even like the game. I love it, and am happy to pay to watch what I want to watch. Aren't the games involving NZ all free-to-air on Prime anyway?


Cricket world cup.

Posted on 13-02-2015 14:08 | By s83cruiser

I would sooner sit and watch paint dry.


Livid

Posted on 13-02-2015 14:36 | By M@M

I am livid that even the opening ceremony could not be found on TV last night . We paid over $5mill into this event from our hard earned tax dollars and we are treated like fools. This kind of Govt rooting of the taxpayer has to stop. I am a National supporter but seriously looking at my options looking at the casino debacle. Bridges beware.


Claytonne

Posted on 13-02-2015 14:40 | By YOGI BEAR

Go back to Wellington. PS I would think that the coverage is not that great for the general public as the public purse is a little empty because you cost ratepayers $70,000 odd for a by-election and have not yet reimbursed us all for it.


Agree with Clayton

Posted on 13-02-2015 14:48 | By jeancraven@kinect.co.nz

We do have a right to see the matches given that our taxpayer $s have been used to bring the sporting games here. Yes, a large number of people do not have sufficient money to live let alone get SKY to watch sport.


Pathetic.

Posted on 13-02-2015 15:00 | By Garret

It is so sad that everything revolves around money. I refuse to have Sky, so I have to lose out on my favourite sport, and especially a World Cup. Disgusting, and our Government should take full responsibility for this fiasco.


Yawn,

Posted on 13-02-2015 15:45 | By Jimmy Ehu

get over yourself Clayton, you are acting like the "fossil" your political leader is, it is a commercial world.


Get a life

Posted on 13-02-2015 15:57 | By spencerb

As usual NZ first worrying about unimportant things. Mitchell needs to understand that there is not much for nothing in this commercial world. Hasn't he got Sky?


Pathetic electioneering

Posted on 13-02-2015 16:11 | By maildrop

Easy to say this to try and get support when there is no chance of it happening. All the sports bodies like the ICC, FIFA and IOC work hand in glove (or pocket) with the TV corps. If the government insisted on free coverage, guess what? no World Cups in the country ever. We could watch it in the middle of the night from India, as long as we had SKY. Wake up Clayton and get in the real world. yeah, it sucks doesn't it? I think there should be free doughnuts for everbody, every Friday. Think I might stand as an MP on that basis.


SPORT IS A CHOOICE

Posted on 13-02-2015 16:15 | By rotovend

Personally its not a free to air issue not everybody wants to pay and its the same with horse-racing etc. If you want it its a choice, tax-payers that dont care shouldnt have to pay twice once for the event and again for tv coverage that they dont watch


My point

Posted on 13-02-2015 16:47 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

Myone, I reiterate, why is the taxpayer funding sporting events? If you want to see it, then you should pay for it. Q.E.D.


Carcass

Posted on 13-02-2015 17:14 | By Carcass

I would rather spend $25 million on watching cricket than changing the flag which may cost $25 million.Think of the kids sport will keep them out of trouble.Boy we have some thick people in N Z


Monopolies should be illegal.

Posted on 13-02-2015 17:17 | By GreertonCynic

"a monopoly commercial company limiting access to major sporting events" Says it all really.


Cricket?

Posted on 12-03-2015 07:13 | By SonnyJim

I havn't been able to watch a one day match since it all went commercial and that was so so long ago. Now it is just a cherished somewhat beige coloured memory.


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