Cricket fans across New Zealand will have more ways to follow international cricket this summer, with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and Sky confirming free-to-air coverage of three home T20 internationals and a new initiative to stream the opening six overs of each match live on TikTok.
In what is believed to be a world-first for international cricket, the first Genesis Powerplay of all three matches will be streamed live in a vertical format on NZC’s TikTok LIVE, giving fans a new way to watch the action on their mobile devices.
The free-to-air matches include the opening BLACKCAPS T20I against India on Thursday, October 22, the WHITE FERNS’ second T20I against Bangladesh on Saturday, December 12, and the BLACKCAPS’ first T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, January 26. The matches will be available on Three or Sky Open, and ThreeNow.
The initiative is a collaboration between NZC and Sky, supported by sports technology platform WSC Sports, and aims to make cricket more accessible while attracting younger audiences to the game.
NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley said the initiative was an innovative way to connect with both new and existing BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS supporters.
“A key priority for NZC is engaging younger Kiwi audiences, and that means being present on the platforms they use every day,” said Critchley.
“TikTok is already the home to thousands of kiwi sports fans and this initiative will expose international cricket to a whole new generation of fans.
“The powerplay is T20 cricket at its most explosive, making it the perfect bite-sized hit of international cricket for the TikTok generation.
“We hope this initiative introduces a new generation to the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS, and encourages them to watch the rest of these matches on Three and ThreeNow.”
Sky’s Head of Content Partnerships Adam Crothers said the partnership would help bring international cricket to a wider audience across the country.
“We’re proud to work with NZC to make international cricket more accessible to New Zealanders,” said Crothers.
“Our free-to-air coverage on Three or Sky Open and ThreeNow, and the coverage of the first innings Powerplay on TikTok LIVE, will serve as great entry points for growing the fandom for cricket, while Sky Sport delivers every moment of the action throughout the season.
“That’s the strength of Sky’s partnership with NZC: combining the reach of free-to-air and digital platforms with the depth of our live sports coverage to bring fans closer to the cricket they love, wherever and however they choose to watch.”
WSC Sports Head of APAC Guy Port said the technology would offer fans a new way to experience live cricket.
“We are thrilled to help reimagine how cricket fans experience live action, with a feed built for vertical viewing on TikTok,” said Port.
“We hope the vertical view will help engage new fans ahead of another big summer of cricket in New Zealand.”
The Genesis Powerplay covers the first six overs of a T20 innings, during which a maximum of two fielders can be positioned outside the 30-yard circle. The fielding restrictions often create an exciting start, with aggressive batting, big hits and early wickets shaping the match.
TikTok coverage of each fixture will begin as the teams take the field, allowing viewers to watch the traditional Māori call to field and national anthems before the Powerplay begins.
Beyond the three free-to-air matches, highlights from every T20I and ODI during the BLACKCAPS’ tour of India will also be available on ThreeNow after each match.
The Hero VIDA T20I Series, Powered by AI+ Nova Smartphone, begins on Thursday, October 22, with the BLACKCAPS taking on India in front of a sold-out crowd at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
Free-to-air T20I schedule
- BLACKCAPS vs India: Thursday, October 22, 8pm — Three and ThreeNow.
- WHITE FERNS vs Bangladesh: Saturday, December 12, 1pm — Three and ThreeNow.
- BLACKCAPS vs Sri Lanka: Tuesday, January 26, 6pm — Sky Open and ThreeNow.
The first Genesis Powerplay of each match will be streamed live on NZ Cricket’s TikTok account.
BLACKCAPS vs India: Hero VIDA T20I Series
All five matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport, Sport Nation and The ACC, with highlights available on ThreeNow after each match.
- 1st T20I: Thursday, October 22, 8 pm- Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
- 2nd T20I: Saturday, October 24, 8 pm- Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
- 3rd T20I: Tuesday, October 27, 8 pm- HNRY Stadium, Wellington.
- 4th T20I: Friday, October 30, 8 pm- Eden Park, Auckland.
- 5th T20I: Sunday, November 1, 8 pm- Seddon Park, Hamilton.
The expanded coverage combines traditional television broadcasts with digital streaming, giving cricket fans across Aotearoa more opportunities to follow the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS throughout the international summer.
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