Cricket Australia strike mega broadcast deal for six years

The recent times have been very tough for the Cricket Australia (CA). The cricketing board found itself in the middle of absolute brouhaha surrounding the sandpaper gate. The fans were disappointed with national heroes being involved in ball tampering saga. Certainly, the entire episode saw a lot of infamy come to the CA.

The aftermath also saw some of the key sponsors withdrawing their associations with the board and the three involved cricketers. The cricketers – Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft – incurred heavy losses for sure. But now, as per the recent reports in Sports360, Cricket Australia seems to have hit the straps right again.

The CA recently signed a six year broadcast deal and have hit a big jackpot in the media deal. Reportedly, the Cricket Australia’s TV rights were sold for a record AUS $1.182 billion ($919m, Dh Dh3.3bn) to Fox Sports and Seven Network in a recent signing between the two parties. This, in essence, has ended the four decade long association of the board with Channel Nine.

As per the reports, Seven takes over the free-to-air rights from Channel Nine and will broadcast all Test matches along with all women’s internationals as well as most of the Big Bash League and women’s BBL. Meanwhile, Fox will broadcast the matches which will be free to air by Seven.

CA delighted with the deal

The BBL, the iconic T20 league of the board, has been expanded from 43 matches to 59 matches. Hence, the additional 16 games will be shown exclusively only on Fox. In the women’s BBL, 23 matches will be shown on Seven and Fox, while 36 will be broadcast on Cricket Australia’s website. The CA chief thanked Channel Nine for their association with the board. Also, he expressed his excitement for the new signing.

“Our thanks go to Channel Nine, who for more than 40 years has broadcast international cricket at a world-renowned standard – and in so doing has done more to promote our sport than any organisation in Australian cricket history,” Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland quoted.

Here is a look at the complete breakage of matches to be broadcast:

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