Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the extension of its longstanding audio rights deal with the BBC to broadcast Australian cricket in the United Kingdom.
The BBC will broadcast Australian international and domestic cricket across BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, 5 Live and BBC Sounds for the next four seasons through to 2026-27 providing widespread exposure for Australian cricket in the UK market including for the Big Bash Leagues.
The deal covers the next women’s and men’s Ashes in 2024-25 and 2025-26 respectively ensuring those much-anticipated series will be described ball-by-ball by the BBC’s renowned Test Match Special team.
The ongoing partnership reflects both the incredible interest created by the compelling Ashes series this year and the enduring interest in the summer of Australian cricket from cricket fans worldwide.
Abhi Arunachalam, CA Head of Media Rights said:
“We’re extremely pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with the BBC and that cricket in Australia will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, 5 Live and BBC Sounds.
“The historic rivalry between Australia and England has gone to another level in recent years and we’re particularly thrilled that the next men’s and women’s Ashes series in Australia will be broadcast by the BBC’s iconic Test Match Special team.
“This partnership will also ensure international cricket and the Big Bash Leagues will enjoy widespread exposure in the UK and cricket fans in that part of the world will get the best possible coverage.”
Heidi Dawson, Controller, BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, said:
“We are delighted that Test Match Special will remain as the home of ball-by-ball commentary for the next Men’s and Women’s Ashes.
“Both series last summer were captivating and they brought in record numbers to listeners to 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.
“The return series in Australia will be hugely anticipated and Cricket fans will be able to follow every moment on Sports Extra, Sounds, 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.”
