Cricket Australia has reportedly signed a status quo TV rights deal with Foxtel, Kayo, and Channel 7 worth slightly more than the previous $1.18 billion deal.
Updated 3 January with statement from Paramount and clarification on the company’s bid.
The deal is expected to be announced on Tuesday ahead of the New Year’s Test between Australia and South Africa. The news will sting for execs at Paramount and Channel 10, who reportedly tabled a joint $1.5 billion deal to broadcast all cricket exclusively.
However, after “lengthy negotiations,” Cricket Australia decided to stick with its existing model, rather than the new format posed by Paramount and 10.
A Paramount spokesperson told B&T after publication:
“We understand the interest in the most recent Cricket media rights process and while Paramount considered the rights on offer and, despite reports to the contrary by various media outlets, it became clear following consistent discussions with Cricket Australia, that our objectives and views on the future presentation of the sport and its value were not aligned.
“As a result, Paramount never made a formal bid for the rights and did not actively pursue the rights over recent weeks.
“We are the only Australian media company with a suite of distribution platforms across free to air and free and paid streaming services, as well as access to a global content pipeline delivering unequalled flexibility and reach, allowing us to make prudent long term business decisions.
“Paramount congratulates the successful consortium and wishes them and Cricket Australia well for the future.”
The current TV rights deal ends in 2024.
The updated deal will see 7 get digital rights to stream games on 7Plus but Foxtel and Kayo will continue to exclusively broadcast one day international and T20 games. Big Bash League and Test Cricket will be shared by 7 and Fox.
Channel 9, which was cricket’s original free-to-air broadcaster entered negotiations late but didn’t mount a serious challenge to the winning bid.
