US streaming giants Paramount seem unlikely to safe the unique cricket broadcast rights regardless of launching a report $1.5 billion with a mixed Channel 9 and Fox Sports activities bid rising because the favorite.
Cricket is ready for a large pay day with competitors scorching for the unique rights to Take a look at cricket, restricted overs internationals and the home Large Bash League.
Foxtel and Seven West Media at the moment maintain the rights after securing a six-year broadcast deal in 2019 that ended 40 years of cricket on Channel 9.
Channel 9’s commentary group of Mark Nicholas, the late Shane Warne and Mark Taylor was once an iconic a part of summer season
Nonetheless, with that deal to run out in 2025, Channel 9 is nicely positioned to beat each Seven West Media and Paramount – who personal Channel Ten – to reclaim their place as the house of cricket in Australia together with Foxtel.
It might be a case of Groundhog Day for Paramount, which additionally made a large play for the unique AFL broadcast rights earlier than being overwhelmed by Foxtel, Seven West Media and Telstra who secured the rights till 2031.
Paramount’s $1.5billion provide was the most important in historical past for Australian cricket and dwarfs the $1.182billion deal Seven West Media and Foxtel paid in 2019.
Nonetheless, it has been Cricket Australia is reportedly hesitant to maneuver to an all-streaming service and is engaged on a deal involving Information Corp, Foxtel and the return of Channel 9.
It’s seemingly that 9 would solely maintain the rights to FTA protection, with streaming to go to Information Corp platform Kayo.
Funds are nonetheless being negotiated, however the Herald Solar has reported that Cricket Australia needs Channel 9 to provide you with $80 million which might shut the hole on the Paramount provide when mixed with the Foxtel and Information Corp spend.
Whereas Seven West Media and Foxtel can be keen to mix for a brand new deal, their provide was $40 million wanting the Paramount deal which suggests it’s unlikely.
ussie cricket gamers are set to change into much more cashed up below the brand new broadcast deal that may attain report figures
That’s as a result of Seven West Media has no real interest in the Large Bash League and has made a number of makes an attempt to terminate its contract with Cricket Australia claiming contract breaches by the sporting physique.
If the cricket had been to return to Channel 9 the community would have a monopoly on the blue chip summer season sporting occasions after securing the Australian Open tennis for $100 million a yr.
Cricket Australia is predicted to make its determination within the coming days.
