Australian cricket is set for its biggest media shake-up in 40 years, with Foxtel expected to join with the Seven Network to broadcast the home summer of the sport.
Cricket Australia (CA) will likely announce a six-year deal in Sydney on Friday afternoon, after Nine and the Ten Networks confirmed they’d lost the rights.
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However Channel Seven are the big winners, with a new contract set to be signed on Friday to secure the network’s first coverage of the home international summer.
“Seven West Media Limited (ASX:SWM) advises that it has been informed by Cricket Australia that it is the successful bidder with Foxtel,” the company said in a brief statement.
Nine’s loss of cricket comes after it secured the rights to the Australian summer of tennis, beginning from 2020.
It means the next international summer’s cricket fixtures will be the first to be played in Australia not broadcast by Nine since the late Kerry Packer took the game into the modern era.
“Nine is immensely proud of our decades long association between Wide World of Sports and the game of cricket in this country,” a Nine spokesperson said.
“We wish Cricket Australia and its new broadcast partners well for the future success of the game.
“Cricket will continue to be a part of Nine’s schedule into the future with current deals in place covering the next Ashes series from England in 2019, the ODI World Cup in the UK in the same year and in 2020 the T20 World Cups to be held in Australia.”
The deal – reported by News Corp Australia to be worth $1 billion, over six years – is a coup for CA, especially after fears last month’s ball-tampering saga could affect the rights value.
Under the deal, it’s expected Pay TV provider Fox Sports will have exclusive rights to some BBL matches while simulcasting Tests and limited overs matches.
A disappointed Network Ten chief executive Paul Anderson confirmed their offer had been rejected on Friday morning, after having televised the emergent Big Bash League for the past four summers.
“We are disappointed that our bid for the cricket television rights was rejected,” Anderson said in a statement.
“Network Ten turned the Big Bash League into the television phenomenon it is today and one of the most popular sports in Australia, a sport that all Australians were able enjoy for free.
“We had planned to extend that innovation to other forms of the game.
“Network Ten and our BBL team led by David Barham revolutionised the way cricket is broadcast in Australia and attracted new, younger viewers to the game.
“At the same time, we invested heavily in the Women’s Big Bash League, broadcasting matches in prime time for the first time and raising its profile significantly.”
Foxtel last broadcast the Big Bash League in 2012-13, when their deal also included other domestic competitions including the 50-over cup and Sheffield Shield final.
Zozza
Guest
I have to agree. Womens cricket is utter crap, and best left for the dustbin.
The Bush
Roar Guru
You consider that a diatribe?
Hammer50
Roar Rookie
Ya hoooo how fantastic to not have watch the cricket on channel9 with volume off. Yes Bill Lawrey is like a good wine as I think he realised some time ago that parochial , one sided commentary had a use by date. I hope the rest dont get picked up as they are loathed internationally ...
qwetzen
Guest
One thing to worry about is that the current head of Fox Sports was Neins cricket director for 10 years.
qwetzen
Guest
Taylor, Slater & Nicholas being there shows that it's not based on cricketing merit.
Kangajets
Guest
Sports commentary on tv , let the picture tell the story, sometimes the less said .....the better the commentary
Joey b
Guest
According to Sutherland, there will be more cricket on FTA than ever before. A big win for women's cricket! Woo hoo! Nothing more riveting than watching slow full toss 'nothings' being bowled, followed by a swing and a miss, or a nick going straight up into the air only for a sitter to be dropped by the keeper. It's comedy gold!
The real SC
Roar Rookie
Back in my days, cricket was very enjoyable during the Kerry Packer-era. The death of Kerry Packer has shocked not just Channel 9 but Australia. Two commentators that I have liked were Tony Greig and Richie Benaud. They commentated together well. The death of Tony Greig in late 2012 has shocked not just Channel 9, but the cricketing world. It wasn't the same without him. Richie Benaud had a car crash in late-2013 and unfortunately he wasn't in the commentary box. Instead, James 'Unbelievable' Brayshaw took over Richie Benaud during the test cricket and ODIs. Brayshaw's strong propaganda on the Australian team made me more than enough to throw my remote over the TV. Richie Benaud's passing in April 2015 meant that Summers won't be the same without him. Now the commentary has gone from bad to stale. During 2015-16 season, we had to suffer more of James brayshaw who was the worst person to be in the commentary box - how many times did Brayshaw continue to bag Glenn 'The Big Show' Maxwell? Brayshaw is too damn cringeworthy to listen to. I'd rather use my tube to stick my ears in. In 2016, good riddance to James Brayshaw from Nine. And now we had to suffer more of Ian Healy who cannot shut up long enough during the over. Healy said a lot of silly things instead of concentrating on the game. If 7 has the rights, how many times do we need to see James Brayshaw calling either cricket or tennis during summer?
Big Daddy
Guest
They will get Warnie who will do anything for a buck. And don't be surprised if smith and Warner turn up. Why wouldn't they. Chanel 9 won't have much left soon. I wonder if they will get warners wife in the Sunday morning sports show.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
I wont bother with cricket next summer at all because all of the one dayers and 20/20 will be only foxtel rubbish. After watching cricket on channel 9 for nearly 40 yrs well thats it for me.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
So are you saying that we should rejoice that the orange buffoon is the President, especially as he's 'draining the swamp'? And by 'draining', I mean back-filling it with like-minded cronies and sycophants. Yay...
Ed
Guest
The deal for the national men's team mirrors what occurs in rugby - tests on both FTA and pay, while Fox have ODI and T20Is, like the Wallabies on both channels while next level below is on pay.
Ed
Guest
Thanks.
Jordan
Guest
ODIs and t20Is fox sports only according to their website
Jordan
Guest
All but 16 games with be on channel 7
Paul D
Roar Guru
The TV at the office has been welded to the Commonwealth Games these past two weeks on silent – can see that 7 has just cut away to go live to their press conference announcing the new cricket deal Watching Sutherland sit next to that sleaze Tim Worner going on and on about what a sweet deal it is, and how much money is going to be made for grassroots etc – well, my barometer for this deal will be whether or not all the fading, thinning synthetic wickets the length and breadth of this country get an upgrade, whether struggling cricket clubs get help with their irrigation bills, new kit, new facilities etc. If the deal winds up in less cricket being shown so the players and the inner circle of Australia cricket can make more money I think people would be eminently justified in turning their back on this sport. it is fast losing its crown as Australia’s game. It’s becoming more and more like tennis & golf – a sport for the pampered elite, for those with committed parents, deep pockets and a goodly amount of luck and networking. I must admit my interest in cricket has decayed severely over the last few years, I can only speak for myself but certainly the glut of fixturing, lack of context to matches and the general behaviour and demeanour of the cricketers has contributed to the feeling of separation between myself and my caring as to how the team is going.
Reg
Guest
9s cricket broadcast was getting stale in comparison to 10s BBL coverage. Its going to suck if there is less BBL on free to air tv, especially when holiday homes, caravans, camping etc during Christmas/New Years break where Foxtel is unavailable. Hopefully, now with NBN its streaming product is at an acceptable standard to watch. I reckon it will be like AFL with games into domestic market.s with a couple of more thrown in. I really enjoyed over the last 4 years watching most of the BBL matches on 10. It was on a good time slot for Perth. I don't reckon 9 was that serious in getting the rights after buying up at a cheaper price OZ open.
Lara
Guest
The team to replace the 9 commentary team...these guys are all looking for work, Boof, SS and DW, would certainly make a very interesting commentary team ....beep, beep , sledge, beep , beep , sledge, cat call, beep, beep giggles , sledge , beep .
DJW
Guest
I can't stand Roaming brian at the end of the game. I'm sure the plays just want to say get lost too.
Rod
Guest
What you think that’s only occurred in the last 18months. The fact he got elected should have been a massive hint that people are fed up, and have been for well over a decade.