The apex body of cricket in England and Wales, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has inked a new extension with the UK-based public broadcaster, the BBC.
The new pact will see the broadcaster continuing to showcase England men’s and women’s international highlights and live coverage of The Hundred for the next four years.
The agreement, which operates from 2025 to 2028, will see highlights of England Men’s and Women’s internationals broadcast on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website, beginning with England Women’s white ball match with West Indies on May 21 before England Men start a Rothesay Test Match against Zimbabwe the next day, as well as digital clips.
Live coverage of The Hundred men’s and women’s tournaments will continue on BBC Sport each year, with eight double-headers every season, featuring the opening matches and finals on TV and iPlayer. The BBC will broadcast more live women’s games than in the past.
The new agreement builds on the success of the previous arrangement, which brought live cricket back to BBC TV in 2020 for the first time in more than 20 years. The BBC has also signed a four-year contract to provide live audio coverage of all England home Tests, one-day internationals, and IT20s, as well as matches from the men’s county cricket and women’s domestic seasons.
Tony Singh, ECB Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We’re delighted to be extending our partnership, guaranteeing another four years of live cricket on BBC TV. With our shared passion for growing women’s sport, it’s exciting that the BBC will be showing even more live women’s games in The Hundred each year, while viewers will continue to have free access to highlights of England Men’s and Women’s home matches during what promises to be an exciting period for cricket in this country.”
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said, “Cricket isn’t just a game of numbers, it’s a game of stories. From unforgettable Ashes battles to exhilarating last-ball victories in The Hundred, this renewed partnership ensures BBC Sport will continue to bring the drama, emotion, and timeless moments of cricket to life for fans across the UK.”