Respected cricket and rugby broadcaster Ian Smith has left Sky TV after 23 years with the network.
Former Black Cap Smith, 65, announced on his radio show with Senz on Monday morning that the decision to leave Sky TV, was by “mutual agreement”.
"I can reveal I am no longer a Sky TV contractor,” Smith said. "I finished on the 31st of December. Even now, at my tender age, I have to reset my sights and goals and it’s damned exciting, I have got to say.”
Smith had been a commentator at Sky for “23 years-plus”. During that period he was regarded as one of New Zealand’s most insightful and knowledgeable cricket broadcasters.
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He also provided commentary during rugby matches, usually stationed on the sideline. Post-match interviews were often part of his portfolio.
"Sky TV has a changing face now, a long way removed from this old scaly, sunburnt one,” Smith said on Senz. "There’s a new breed, if you haven’t noticed, and that’s the way it’s trending away from the career broadcaster.
"Like Nisbo (Grant Nisbett) and TJ (Tony Johnson), those guys in particular, and let’s hope it’s a long time before they are away from our screens. Ultimate, dedicated pros and a pleasure to work alongside.”
Smith said he and Sky agreed it was time to go their separate ways.
"There’s a purpose and a direction towards Māori and Pacific input and, of course, female sport, like never before. The way of the world as they say.
"So it was mutual that we part ways.”
During his tenure at Sky, Smith covered two of the All Blacks’ World Cup wins, 160-plus All Blacks tests, 20 Super Rugby finals and "countless” NPC and Ranfurly Shield matches.
"Probably close to 750 games in all. What a blast for a kid who grew up playing rugby in Miramar 60 years ago. Did I just say that – 60 years ago?”
Being asked to talk into a microphone during rugby matches was something he never imagined would happen: "Some will say that I probably shouldn’t have either, but I did and for me it was an honour and a privilege.”
However, it was Smith’s ability to drill into his extensive knowledge about another sport – cricket – that once made him a valuable asset for Sky Sport.
An accomplished wicketkeeper and batsman, Smith played 63 tests and 98 ODIs for New Zealand between 1980 and 1992.
His transition into the commentary box was smooth, and he said he was proud of what Sky Sport achieved until NZ Cricket signed a deal with Spark Sport to broadcast games from April 2020, when the broadcast deal with Sky expired.
"It started with cricket on day one, all those years ago,” Smith said. "It helped to build what I believe was a pretty good product until the company lost interest in trying to keep it on their channels.
"A CEO at the time, who admitted he wasn’t a big fan of the game.”
Last month it was revealed that Spark Sport will no longer exist from July, with all cricket in New Zealand to be shown on TVNZ from next season, through to the end of the current deal NZ Cricket had with Spark Sport, which runs until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Smith has worked for Australian broadcaster Fox Sports for the last six weeks and the ICC on the T20 World Cup, which, he said, has "rejuvenated my love to call cricket”.
His commentaries on the recent Australia v South Africa series were broadcast on Sky which holds the rights to cricket in Australia.
"Fox is without doubt the number one producer of cricket in the world. Ambitious, innovative and their relationship with the players with never be, never be, emulated in this country.”
Sky TV said in a statement to Stuff that it wished to thank Smith for his contribution after more than two decades of service.
“After a terrific career that saw him work on some of our biggest sporting moments over more than two decades, Ian Smith is leaving his commentating role at Sky Sport.
“An accomplished caller of both cricket and rugby, Smithy was side-line when the All Blacks won the World Cup at Eden Park in 2011. And who could forget his call when the Blacks Caps lost THAT final against England?
“Sky Sport customers will still be able to enjoy Smithy’s international work when he calls for Australian Cricket and ICC matches broadcast on Sky.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Smithy for his considerable contribution over the last 20+ years and wish him well for the future.’’
© 2023 Stuff Limited
Broadcaster Ian Smith departs Sky Sport: 'It was mutual that we part … – Stuff
