Seven Network seizes cricket media rights from Nine, Ten in a partnership with Foxtel

In a $1bn-plus deal, Seven and Foxtel take Cricket Australia’s rights for internationals and the BBL from Nine and Ten.

The Nine Network has lost the rights to cricket for the first time in four decades. Picture: Getty

Seven Network has landed Cricket Australia’s media rights for internationals and the top-rating Big Bash League, seizing them from Nine and Ten in a partnership with Foxtel.

In a statement, Seven West Media said it had been told by Cricket Australia that it was the successful bidder, with Foxtel.

“Contracts are being finalised but are not yet signed. A full announcement will be made on signing this afternoon,” Seven said.

Under the deal it is expected Foxtel will have exclusive rights to some Big Bash League (BBL) matches while simulcasting Tests and limited overs matches.

Earlier, sources told The Australian that the Kerry Stokes-controlled Seven had agreed terms ahead of an announcement by Cricket Australia at 2pm (AEST).

The move is a stunning coup for Seven after it lost the tennis rights to Nine, amid a redrawing of the Australian media landscape.

It also means the Nine Network has lost the rights to cricket for the first time in four decades.

Cricket Australia is expected to receive more than $1 billion over six years from its sale of domestic media rights to Foxtel and Seven.

It is understood Seven has committed to estimated annual payments of $75 million or $450m over 6 years, with Foxtel stumping up $105m a season or $630m.

Pay-TV operator Foxtel last night agreed to terms with CA, leaving officials to thrash out a free-to-air deal with Seven.

In statements this morning, Nine said it was “immensely proud” of its long association with the sport but wished Cricket Australia and its new broadcast partners well.

Nine said cricket would continue to be part of its schedule with current deals in place covering the next Ashes series from England in 2019, the ODI World Cup in the UK in the same year and the T20 World Cups to be held in Australia in 2020.

“Our focus remains on the cross platform opportunities in front of us and finding the best ways to continue to create value for our shareholders in the future,” Nine said.

Nine told the ASX its loss of the cricket rights would have no impact on its full-year 2018 results. "It is not possible for (Nine) to give an indication of likely impact on FY19 at this time.”

Nine’s shares fell 8.5 cents, or 3.8 per cent, to $2.165 in the first half an hour of trade while Seven’s shares were up 2.75 cents, or 5.3 per cent, to 54.25 cents.

CBS-owned Ten said it was disappointed that its joint bid with Nine had been rejected, after the network took the rights in 2013 from Fox Sports under the then Ten CEO Hamish McLennan.

“Network Ten turned the Big Bash League into the television phenomenon it is today and one of the most popular sports in Australia, a sport that all Australians were able enjoy for free,” said Ten chief executive Paul Anderson.

“We had planned to extend that innovation to other forms of the game.

“Network Ten and our BBL team led by David Barham revolutionised the way cricket is broadcast in Australia and attracted new, younger viewers to the game. At the same time, we invested heavily in the Women’s Big Bash League, broadcasting matches in prime time for the first time and raising its profile significantly. We are proud of everything we achieved with the BBL and WBBL.”

Under the proposed terms that emerged last night, before today’s Seven coup was confirmed, either Seven or Ten would buy Nine’s Test matches and some of the domestic Big Bash League, currently with Ten. Foxtel, majority owned by News Corp, publisher of The Australian, would have exclusive rights to some BBL matches as well as simulcast rights for live Tests and international limited-overs matches.

CA last month rejected a joint bid from Nine and the CBS- backed Ten for its broadcast rights, heightening the prospect of a deal with Foxtel and Seven, despite the ball-tampering scandal.

CA has been under pressure in recent weeks to complete its rights process before the start of the next season in October.

The deal with Foxtel and Seven breaks Nine’s stranglehold on the sport, 40 years after Kerry Packer took the game into the modern era.

The deal could relieve pressure on CA chairman David Peever and chief executive James Sutherland after they launched twin reviews into the ball tampering crisis.

CA Australia receives up to $600 million from its existing five-year deal. Of this, $500m is generated by Nine’s international rights and $100m comes from Ten’s BBL.

The deal would represent a much-needed boost to CA amid fears Tennis Australia’s recent $300m deal with Nine could have impacted on any hopes of netting a $1bn windfall.

Record sports deals in Australia include a six-year $2.5bn agreement between the AFL, Seven, Fox Sports and Telstra, a 67 per cent hike on the previous deal.

The NRL drove a 70 per cent rise in the price of its rights with a $1.8bn agreement with Nine, Fox Sports and Telstra.

Last year Football Federation Australia signed a six-year $346m contract with Foxtel.