Sky TV has copped a barrage of criticism online tonight after the Japanese host broadcaster of the All Blacks and Wallabies Test begun digitally projecting ads onto the field.
Ad graphics for AIG Insurance and Canon had been temporarily appearing on the field of play during the first half of tonight’s final Bledisloe Cup test in Yokohama, Japan.
A Sky spokeswoman told the Herald: “As the All Blacks v Australia match is being played in Yokohama we are taking a global feed from the host broadcaster in Japan rather than producing the match ourselves.
Wallabies Disappearing act! #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/PRucYeithA
— Todd Hewitt (@toddyhewitt) October 27, 2018
“We have our Sky Sport commentators providing their great kiwi commentary, but the on-field production, including any advertising, is determined by the host broadcaster. In the first few minutes of the match there were some rather prominent on-field advertising graphics that we and our customers weren’t very happy with.”
“We were pleased to see that the host broadcaster quickly responded to our concerns and removed the ads.”