New Zealand is prepping for rugby fever and the Lightwire team is strengthening its defences to tackle the predicted increase in online streaming this season.
The broadcasting of the world’s biggest rugby event has been limited to subscription-based television services in previous years. However, 2019 will see Spark and TVNZ embark on a joint venture to bring games to free-to-air TV. Via TVNZ, fans can expect to watch all All Blacks’ pool games and quarter finals on a one-hour delay, while tournament semi-finals and the final will screen live. All matches will be made available online using Spark Sport – both live and on-demand.
That’s right, rugby heads! This is likely to be the biggest streaming event in New Zealand’s history and we’re making sure Lightwire customers don’t miss any of the action. Our team have all the right gear and are upgrading broadband towers and adding new sites where possible.
The breakdown
Before the first whistle blows, you’ll want to make sure you have a broadband connection! Check out coverage in your area and then give us a call on 0800 12 13 14 to get an installer out there. If you don’t have a direct line of sight to a broadband tower, there are still options to latch on.
The next phase is to subscribe to Spark Sport – a subscription-based service much like Netflix and Lightbox. In addition to rugby, you can also catch the Formula 1, World Rally Championship, NBA and hockey games, and ONE Championship fights.
Make sure you sign up to a Spark Sport 7 day trial before the Rugby World Cup kicks off to ensure everything is working. Then test, test and test your streaming capability and speed before the games start. If you have any problems, the Lightwire Helpdesk is ready with all kinds of tricks to gain line.
Overtime
Spark has estimated that streaming each game, at the highest quality, will use 6GB of data. Lower quality streaming will use less data. Get your rural broadband plan sorted pre-game and, if your data does go into overtime, it will only cost you $1 per GB with Lightwire. Definitely a win!
Don’t drop the ball when it comes to the biggest rugby event in the world. Lightwire is putting in the extra yards – will you? Find out about rural broadband plans now.
