Stuff and WBD to bring America's Cup to New Zealand with most accessible coverage ever
Thursday, 20 June 2024
Stuff and WBD to broadcast the America’s Cup in New Zealand later this year.
The ground-breaking media partnership with Emirates Team NZ means Kiwis will be able to watch the regatta live and free to air.
The action starts on August 22 and finishes with the America’s Cup Match from October 12-27.
Stuff Group and Warner Bros. Discovery have entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand to provide the most extensive, live and lively coverage of the America’s Cup ever.
The partnership means Kiwis will be able to watch Team New Zealand defend the Auld Mug in Barcelona live and free to air on Stuff and Three/Three Now.
The deal covers all sailing from the preliminary regatta from August 22-25, the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series from August 29 to October 5, the Youth America’s Cup from September 10-26, the Women’s America’s Cup from September 28 to October 13, and the America’s Cup Match featuring Team New Zealand from October 12-27.
Team New Zealand will also race in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series, up until the semifinals.
Together, Stuff and WBD reach more than 90% of New Zealanders aged 15+, making this the most accessible America’s Cup for New Zealand audiences ever.
With every race live and free via multichannel, multidimensional coverage across New Zealand’s leading news website, stuff.co.nz, as well as Three and ThreeNow, New Zealanders can experience all the events of the 37th America’s Cup when and how they want to.
Every race will be available live, replayed in full at breakfast time, and available in full on-demand. A hub on stuff.co.nz will deliver comprehensive highlights and news.
“Typically with Emirates Team New Zealand, we look to do things differently, to innovate and do things better,” Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said.
“So, when considering the coverage of the America’s Cup in New Zealand it was no different. When we started talking with Stuff and WBD, it was clear they are approaching the new media landscape in a similar bold way by challenging conventions and viewing event coverage from a 24-hour multi-platform perspective, that caters for all New Zealanders in whatever way they consume live sports, replays and news stories from on the ground in Barcelona.
“I don’t think it could be covered more extensively in a media partnership if we tried, so we are very excited to bring this America’s Cup coverage to New Zealand live and free with Stuff and WBD.”
Stuff Digital managing director Nadia Tolich said: “Hard on the heels of our partnership to deliver a new ThreeNews 6pm bulletin for WBD, partnering with them for live coverage of the America’s Cup will mean New Zealanders can watch the races from their mobile phones in bed, on their laptops or on a TV screen.
“Stuff is Aotearoa’s new home of live sport. Kiwis trust us to cover the big events brilliantly - from the Rugby World Cup which brought 4.6 million unique visitors to Stuff, to the excitement of the … FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We’re excited about reporting on all the colour from Barcelona, from the personalities pier-side to the people in the plazas.”
WBD VP Head of Networks Australia and New Zealand Juliet Peterson said the company was proud to be helping all New Zealanders take part in this moment of national significance.
“There are few moments that stop and unite Aotearoa like the America’s Cup, and our partnership with Stuff and Emirates Team New Zealand means all New Zealanders can stop and be united, wherever they are and on whichever device they choose.”
Stuff Brand Connections managing director Matt Headland said bespoke multichannel commercial opportunities will be available across Stuff, Three and ThreeNow.
“A range of brand integration opportunities will be on offer, from live broadcast times to replay packages right throughout the next day and the dedicated America’s Cup hub on Aotearoa’s largest digital news site stuff.co.nz.”