Domestic Twenty20 cricket continues to prove a winner with New Zealanders with figures showing HRV Cup SKY TV viewership up 59% on last season.
With four more televised HRV Cup encounters to come - including the preliminary-final and final, New Zealand Cricket and SKY TV anticipate interest to increase further over the next fortnight.
"We're delighted that the Friday Nights Under Lights concept has worked so well for audiences throughout the country," NZC Chief Executive David White commented today.
"New Zealanders have been able to enjoy a feast of high-scoring HRV Cup games over the holiday season, with a number of skilful displays from the leading players and a serious tussle for the top spot as we head into the business end of the competition.
“The success of our HRV Cup programming this season also reflects the commitment and quality production values from our broadcast partner, SKY TV, whose team consistently deliver an engaging, world-class viewing experience.”
Friday nights under lights continues at Seddon Park, Hamilton this week when the SKYCITY Northern Knights host the Canterbury Wizards in a game critical to determining the HRV Cup top three place getters. Likewise the Northern Knights' key clash with the HELL Wellington Firebirds - currently in second place on the points table, just in front of the Knights thanks to a significantly higher average net run rate - will be broadcast live from Wellington on Sunday afternoon.
After the regular competition is completed on January 15, the top place getter will progress directly to the January 20 HRV Cup final, while the second- and third-placed teams will play off against each other on Friday January 18 for the right to join the Final. Both the Playoff and Final will be televised live by SKY TV (venues and times to be announced).
