Sky Sports Seals New Cricket Deal

Sky Sports has entered into a new five-year agreement with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for live rights to international and county cricket, including every match from the new T20 competition that starts in 2020.

With the new deal, Sky Sports will be the only destination for live coverage of all England home Tests, ODIs and T20s, women’s matches and county cricket, between now and 2024. The pact also sees the two organizations working together to drive engagement in the sport.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said, “At Sky Sports we love cricket and so do our customers. This is a groundbreaking agreement that represents a new and exciting approach to sports rights in this country. It extends our partnership with the game into a third decade and will see us work with the ECB to excite and engage cricket fans of all ages. We will continue to innovate in our coverage and make it accessible across our channels, products and services. And drawing on our experience of getting millions on their bikes with our successful eight-year Sky Ride initiative, we are committed to working with the ECB to help grow the game at all levels.”

Tom Harrison, ECB CEO, added: “Sky Sports have offered a true partnership—more than a broadcast deal—with their shared vision for cricket. Their innovation and production standards are widely acclaimed. Here, they further increase their live commitment and have added bold ideas to drive engagement and to help to get a bat and ball in more hands.”