-
Rugby World Cup 2011 - Source: Photosport -
Watch Video
-
Related
Prime Minister John Key says he wants all New Zealanders to be able to view the 2011 Rugby World Cup free-to-air.
He told TV ONE's Breakfast of his expectations for the broadcasting of the event after news Maori Television has used $3 million of taxpayer money in its bid. Maori TV currently has coverage in 85% of New Zealand.
The free-to-air rights relate to 16 matches, including the All Blacks' matches, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
"Last Friday, bids closed and I would expect there to be a number of organisations that would have bid, including TVNZ I would have thought," Key told Breakfast's Paul Henry. "We'll know in the middle of October exactly who is going to be successful in that bid.
"If it's TVNZ or Maori TV, at one level, there will be taxpayer money going in there to make sure that New Zealanders, on a free-to-air basis, can see the Rugby World Cup, those 16 important games."
Key says it is his "absolute expectation" that all New Zealanders get the opportunity to view those matches.
"And if Maori TV doesn't have that capacity, then they had better work out a way to do it."
Key says he understands the money for Maori TV's bid is coming from Te Puni Kokiri's budget.
"Te Puni Kokiri and Maori TV would need to justify to the New Zealand public that that is the best use of the $3 million."
