Cricket TV rights remain unresolved despite Channel 7’s broadcast deadline

Channel 7’s bid for an early end to cricket’s TV rights saga has fallen flat after Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley remained tight-lipped over the negotiations.

Channel 7’s bold bid to flush out an early conclusion to cricket’s TV rights saga by imposing a Tuesday deadline has passed without Cricket Australia accepting terms for a new deal.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley refused to discuss the deadline when quizzed by Gerard Whateley on SEN Radio on Tuesday, other than to state “there’s no fixed timeline” for a contract being signed off on.

However, it’s understood Hockley, who was at the MCG for the Test, did hold discussions with Seven on Tuesday, with cricket sources saying negotiations are progressing well.

It’s unclear what Seven’s response will be to the deadline passing, after the network declared it would be reconsidering whether or not to continue in the bidding process if they didn’t receive a response.

Fox Sports are in the box seat to retain streaming and pay per view rights, and indications are Channel 7 remain well positioned to remain as the game’s free-to-air partner.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has responded to the Channel 7 bombshell deadline. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

There are concerns over Channel 9’s ability to bid for the cricket rights given they have added Olympics rights to a stable which already includes the summer’s other major sport, Australian Open tennis.

Paramount-Channel 10 has tabled the biggest offer of a reported $1.5 billion and remain in the frame, but CA has shown a reluctance to commit to a streaming service and free-to-air network with limited reach and reputation for sports broadcasting.

The Big Bash has been the main source of tension with the rights, and although ratings have dropped significantly on Channel 7 this summer – overall viewing numbers for the BBL are strong.

Although not quite the halcyon days of a million viewers a night, the BBL is achieving numbers of 750,000-850,000 for simulcast numbers across Fox Sports, Kayo and Seven.

Almost half of matches this season have gone down to the wire, meaning viewers are holding on right through to the end – and there is a feeling across the board that the quality of games has improved.

Broadcasters will get their wish in the new deal with the number of matches to be cut from 60 to about 40, and the solid TV and streaming numbers this season show the competition can still pack a power punch in the ratings game if the product is right.

Ricky Ponting (R) with former teammates Matthew Hayden (L) and Justin Langer (M) - part of the Channel 7 commentary team.

Hockley said he could not discuss News Corp’s report about Seven’s 5pm Tuesday deadline.

“I can’t talk about commercially confidential discussions but what I will say is discussions are progressing very well and hopefully we’ll have some announcements to be made in the not too distant future,” Hockley said on SEN.

“… We are working towards the best deal for Australian cricket.

“… There’s a lot to work through. There’s no fixed timeline, but discussions are progressing well.”

Hockley said the spirit of negotiations had been positive and not acrimonious.

“We’ve had really strong interest throughout the process from all parties. I think what we saw yesterday we’ve seen over a million people come through the gates to watch international cricket this year and the interest we’ve seen and the spirit of the discussions is reflective of the fact cricket is our national sport and our only truly national and international spot,” Hockley said.

“I think Boxing Day, there’s no better picture to demonstrate that. After play, we led straight into two fantastic last-over finishes with the Big Bash.

“The discussions have been really positive.”