The British pay-TV network, Sky Sports, has announced the signing of a broadcasting partnership with Cricket Australia (CA). In this agreement, the UK-based sports network has secured the media rights of the Big Bash League (BBL) until 2025.
Earlier the BBL broadcasting rights were handled by BT Sports, but from this season it will go to their rival channel Sky Sports. However, BT Sports have secured the media rights of the upcoming Australia vs England Test series, The Ashes. While it has also the media rights of the Women’s Ashes, and the T20I and ODI bilateral matches between Australia and England.
Both, Sky Sports and BT Sports rivalled for quite some time to secure both the Ashes and BBL from Cricket Australia. But this time, BBL will have a new home in the UK under the Sky Sports network which was for the past five years under BT Sports.
Apart from the Big Bash League, Sky Sports already contains, England & Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) new competition, The Hundred, while the Indian Premier League (IPL) is also under their wings.
Speaking on the occasion, Nick Hockley, CA chief executive, said: “Sky Sports is broadcasting both the Weber WBBL and the KFC BBL which is very exciting, with the WBBL having already started and showcasing the world’s best players to cricket fans globally.”
Adding to it, Sky Sports director of cricket, Bryan Henderson, said, “We’re delighted to add the men’s and women’s Big Bash Leagues to our dedicated channel Sky Sports Cricket, it’s a tournament with great players and a great history of excitement.”
“Following the success of the men’s and women’s Hundred this summer, we know our viewers will relish having another blockbuster domestic competition to add to their calendar as we head into the winter months,” he added.
The Big Bash League entering its 10th season will start from 5th December, in which the opening match will be featuring Sydney Sixers taking on Melbourne Stars.