Seven West Media has struck an exclusive deal to show the International Cricket Council’s World Test Championship (WTC) on free-to-air TV.
The WTC final is set to take place in London between 7-11 June. The deal will mark the first time Seven has broadcast a Test match played outside Australia for more than 20 years.
The network will show the matches in prime time on free-to-air TV, as well as 7Plus. The matches are due to start at 8 pm AEST, giving Seven a chance to attract big audiences ahead of the Ashes, which start in July.
“The ICC World Test Championship is the premier competition in Test cricket. The prospect of playing in the final has been a big motivator for the Australian team in recent years, while India is focused squarely on taking the mace after its 2021 loss,” said Lewis Martin, managing director of Seven Melbourne and head of network sport.
“The fierce rivalry between Australia and India, played out at an iconic venue, will make this a competition that no Australian sports fan will want to miss.”
Seven recently redoubled its commitment to Cricket Australia, signing a broadcast deal through to the end of the 2030-31 season. However, the deal it struck with the organising body is 13 per cent lower than the current deal at $65 million per year. This lower amount gave Seven extra cash to throw at the ICC Final.
The network and Cricket Australia had been staring each other down in court, with Seven alleging “multiple quality and standard breaches” by the body. The network said that the Big Bash League (BBL) should have been equal to the Indian Premier League in stature and CA should not have scheduled BBL matches in competition with men’s internationals.
However, the pair put aside their differences and signed a new deal at the end of last year.
Lead image credit: Cricket Australia
