New Zealand pay-TV broadcaster, Sky, has launched a process for its advertising sales representation in Australia last week.
The dual NZX and ASX-listed company is now focused on its next stage of growth following the launch of advertising on Neon, its entertainment streaming platform, earlier this year.
Sky chief media and data officer, Lauren Quaintance, said: “We have incredibly powerful platforms for advertisers wanting to reach Kiwis in moments that matter. With the lion’s share of live sport, we can offer premium environments with incredibly high attention that deliver meaningful integration opportunities for our Australian brand partners.
“We already have some strong relationships in Australia, and we’re now looking to strengthen and build on the work that has already been done to continue sharing Sky’s incredible story.”
The request for information has a deadline of 6 June.
The news comes as Sky and BBC Studios announced in April they will be expanding their partnerships in New Zealand.
A multi-year deal will give Sky audiences access to British content on BBC First across Sky, Neon, and free-to-air channel Sky Open.
BBC First will join the Sky channel line up from October 2024, bringing premium UK dramas to Sky customers. Selected content will also be available on Neon and Sky Open.
Among the titles coming to Sky audiences will be the detective thriller The Jetty starring Jenna Coleman. Other launch programming will include Return to Paradise, the Australian spin-off of Death in Paradise, and the second season of the series Beyond Paradise starring Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton.
Sky chief executive Sophie Moloney said at the time: “Sky customers will enjoy an expanded array of world-class British content through our renewed partnership with BBC Studios. We value what our customers value, and with UKTV being Sky’s number one entertainment channel with consistently high and growing viewership, we’re confident in the value this represents for customers.
“The renewed partnership also offers exclusive access to premium British drama on BBC First. Importantly, these rights extend across our portfolio of entertainment products, meaning our customers can enjoy great British content in whatever way they choose.”
Under the deal, Sky’s #1 entertainment channel BBC UKTV will continue to offer audiences a curated selection of British entertainment including soap juggernauts EastEnders and Casualty, fan favourite quizcoms 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and Would I Lie to You, plus celebrity chat shows The Jonathan Ross Show and The Graham Norton Show.
Sky has partnerships with global providers such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global and NBCUniversal. It also holds the sports rights for the Premier League, rugby league, rugby, netball, cricket, tennis, golf, basketball, F1, and motor racing.
See also: BBC First landing on Sky NZ in October 2024 for lovers of premium drama