ealand Cricket fans will have free access to live coverage of the Black Caps‘ upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, with Warner Bros. Discovery’s ThreeNow securing exclusive streaming rights for both the T20I tri-series and the two-Test series that follows, according to multiple reports.
The tri-series, which also features South Africa and Zimbabwe, begins July 14 and runs through July 26, with the top two sides playing the final. The Test series, marking the first red-ball clash between New Zealand and Zimbabwe since 2016, begins on July 30.
Matches in the T20I series will begin at 11pm NZT, while the Tests will start at 8pm NZT, making it a late-night viewing event for Kiwi fans.
“We are stoked to have secured these rights, allowing fans to enjoy these exciting matches live and free,” said Matt Barthow, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Senior Director, Content ANZ, quoted as per multiple sources.
“Sport is an important pillar of our content offering, bringing large audiences together in real time and creating shared national moments.”
Full schedule for Black Caps’ Zimbabwe tour
T20I Tri-series (NZT):
- July 14: Zimbabwe v South Africa – 11pm
- July 16: South Africa v Black Caps – 11pm
- July 18: Zimbabwe v Black Caps – 11pm
- July 20: Zimbabwe v South Africa – 11pm
- July 22: Black Caps v South Africa – 11pm
- July 24: Zimbabwe v Black Caps – 11pm
- July 26: Final – 11pm
Test Series (NZT):
- July 30: 1st Test – Black Caps v Zimbabwe – 8pm
- August 7: 2nd Test – Black Caps v Zimbabwe – 8pm
New Zealand Cricket hails return of Test contest with Zimbabwe
The two-Test series is particularly notable as it will mark a resumption of Test cricket between the two nations for the first time in nearly a decade, adding historical significance to the tour.
“We are thrilled that New Zealand’s ThreeNow will screen the highly anticipated Test matches between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, marking an historic encounter almost a decade since their last red ball clash,” said Givemore Makoni, Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, quoted in Stoppress.
“Additionally, the T20I tri-series is a fantastic opportunity for passionate fans to witness world class cricket and we’re counting down the days until the first ball.”
New Zealand Cricket echoed the enthusiasm, underscoring the competitiveness and stakes of the upcoming matches.
“We are delighted that Warner Bros. Discovery’s ThreeNow will bring these action-packed series to New Zealand fans. We expect the competition to be fierce, and we know the Blackcaps will give their all in pursuit of victory,” said Scott Weenink, New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive.
A changing media landscape for cricket broadcasting
This isn’t the first time ThreeNow has stepped into the cricket broadcast space. The platform temporarily held rights for two Black Caps Tests against Bangladesh in 2023. With cricket broadcasting rights in New Zealand having shifted hands frequently in recent years — from Spark Sport to TVNZ, and Sky regaining home international rights from 2026/27 — ThreeNow’s involvement marks a significant moment in the country’s evolving cricket media landscape.
This move reflects broader shifts in how major cricket events are being distributed to fans, especially as digital platforms increasingly play a central role in sports broadcasting.
