The pay-television broadcaster, Sky Sports has announced a new partnership with Channel 4 that will result in the live telecast of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final simulcast on the free-to-air network’s eponymous channel.
The T20 World Cup is not a mentioned event in the United Kingdom, but Sky, which has the exclusive rights to International Cricket Council (ICC) events in the sector as part of an eight-year deal from 2015 to 2023 in the market, has pledged to provide free coverage of the final.
Following their 10-wicket triumph over India at the Adelaide Oval, England will now face Pakistan in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.
The game will be broadcast on Channel 4, Sky Showcase, and Sky Sports pay-television channels in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The game is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. (GMT).
Sky and Channel 4 agreed to a similar arrangement for live coverage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 final between England and New Zealand. As England lifted the trophy, the game drew a peak viewership of 8.3 million on both broadcasters.
Furthermore, earlier this year, Sky also chose to provide free coverage of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 final between England and Australia. The match was broadcast live on Sky Pick and streamed on YouTube.
Sky Sports, Managing Director, Jonathan Licht, said, “We know the importance of this game, so we are pleased to be able to share this great sporting moment with our whole nation thanks to our strong relationship with Channel 4. Whether you’re supporting England or Pakistan, this will be one to remember.”
Channel 4, Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz, commented, “We are thrilled that Channel 4 and Sky have struck this deal to make another great national sporting moment available on free-to-air television to audiences across the UK. As the days draw in, some thrilling international cricket from the southern hemisphere should offer some welcome cheer.”