Cricket TV rights deal: David Warner joins Fox Cricket after new rights deal announced
Cricket’s new TV rights deal has received another boost with Fox Cricket announcing a new signing to its commentary team, one that spin king Shane Warne played a key role in before his death.
Shane Warne won’t be heard on the Fox Commentary team again but his influence will live on through the voice of David Warner.
Fox Cricket celebrated its TV rights triumph by announcing Warner has signed on long-term as the network’s newest commentator, an astute acquisition, it can be revealed, which was first urged by Warne.
Privately the late spin king was adamant that Warner would be the next great cricket commentator of the current generation, and now Warne’s vision has become a reality as Fox Cricket look forward to the next eight years as rights holders.
“It was Warnie who first identified David Warner as a rare commentary talent,” Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley told News Corp.
“We will never replace Shane Warne or Andrew Symonds on the Fox Cricket commentary team. But if you were given just one shot at picking a recruit from all of world cricket, you’d pick David Warner.
“When he came out to bat you could double your audience. He made cricket exciting.
“And he’s the same in the twilight of his career as he was in the beginning – a swashbuckling, fearless individual.
“I’ve been around sports broadcasting a long time and believe David Warner is made for commentary the same he was made to open the batting. He’s most welcome onto our Fox team.”
Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany said Warner will be used on the Big Bash this summer and on formats he’s not playing in until he retires from cricket.
Once the opening great has hung up the gloves, Warner will join Fox Cricket’s team full-time on an open-ended contract where he will be a key part of its bumper Test broadcast and exclusive white ball coverage.
“I think he’ll be a very, very good cricket commentator,” Delany said.
Asked how long Warner had signed for, Delany said: “As long as he wants.”
As first revealed by News Corp, the number of Big Bash League matches has been slashed from 61 to 43 in the new seven-year TV rights deal – in a change which could be instituted for next season, a year ahead of the new deal commencing.
Cricket Australia said the new deal was worth $1.512 billion, representing a 10.5 per cent per year cash uplift on the current arrangement.
Every ball of every cricket summer for the next eight years will be shown on Fox and Kayo, including all Australian white ball internationals exclusively.
Channel 7 has retained the free-to-air rights alongside Fox Sports and Kayo in a continuation of the current arrangement.
As revealed by News Corp, Channel 7 has immediately dropped Federal Court action against Cricket Australia as the two warring parties put down their guns at Tuesday’s announcement.
Channel 7 managing director Lewis Martin made a point of thanking Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley for his ability to cast misgivings and tension aside in the interests of signing a new deal in the best interests of cricket.
“There’s no doubt our relationship has been tested. And there’s nothing left unsaid I can assure you,” Martin said.
“But we are here. One of the key things that kept us constant was that we were united in both the love and for the ambition to grow the game. That was critical and that’s why we are all standing here today.
“Nick on behalf of Seven … we’d like to thank you for your candour, your ear and your persistence. Because our network, our company are truly excited about this agreement and the future of cricket.”
Cricket Australia brutally left Paramount and Channel 10 at the altar, adamant renewing its vowels with Fox and Seven was in the best interests of the game.
“We are delighted to be continuing our broadcast partnership with the Foxtel Group and Seven under an improved deal,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.
“The quality and reach of the Foxtel Group and Seven’s cricket production is first class and the outstanding service they provide cricket fans was a strong consideration in our decision to continue with this successful partnership.”
TV RIGHTS WAR OVER AS CRICKET AUSTRALIA LANDS MONSTER $1.5B DEAL
Ben Horne and Todd Balym
Cricket Australia has secured a record $1.512 billion TV rights deal with Foxtel Group and Seven West Media, extending its current broadcast partnership for a further seven years until the end of 2031.
After a tense tender process which included a massive bid from Ten and Paramount, CA has opted to stick with the certainty of the existing broadcast partners for all Australian international men’s and women’s matches plus the BBL and WBBL.
As revealed by News Corp on Monday morning, CA and the broadcast partners confirmed the new arrangement via media release early on Tuesday with the deal to be formalised at a press conference at the SCG on Tuesday morning.
“We are delighted to be continuing our broadcast partnership with the Foxtel Group and Seven under an improved deal,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.
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“The quality and reach of the Foxtel Group and Seven’s cricket production is first class and the outstanding service they provide cricket fans was a strong consideration in our decision to continue with this successful partnership.
“The breadth and quality of cricket to be played in Australia over the coming summers is extraordinary and we are looking forward to working with our partners to not only televise the games, but to promote and grow cricket by encouraging more kids to pick up a bat and ball.
“This is also an important commercial outcome for all of Australian Cricket and one that will ensure we can continue to deliver important community programs, support volunteers and increase participation to keep cricket strong.
“We sincerely thank all the broadcasters who participated in the process. The strong levels of interest in cricket again emphasised both the enduring value of cricket and the place it holds in the hearts of Australians.”
Importantly, the BBL season will be reduced from the current schedule of 61 matches to 43, in a bid to improve player availability for the tournament and help rejuvenate the format.
As previously reported by News Corp, Seven agreed to withdraw legal proceedings against CA relating to recent seasons affected by the pandemic.
Under the new agreement Fox Cricket will show every game live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including men’s white ball games and 10 exclusive BBL matches.
“With the cricket rights secured for the next seven years, the Foxtel Group remains the undisputed home of the most popular and premium sports in Australia,” Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said.
“This extension is great news for our more than 4.6 million subscribers, who will see our world-class talent and production teams at Fox Sports continue bringing the magic like they always have across Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
“The Foxtel Group is the home of cricket in Australia, and we’re proud of the role our investments over more than two decades have played in super charging the growth of the sport from the grassroots through to elite levels.
“Together with 4K on Foxtel and our continued investment in innovation and multi-sport environment on Kayo Sports, we deliver a fan experience like no other and will support the continued growth and promotion of cricket in Australia.
“This renewed partnership with Cricket Australia complements our other multi-year agreements with the International Cricket Council, the IPL and the cricket boards of various countries including New Zealand, England, South Africa and India to show the best of global competitions and matches to fans right around the country.”
Seven will also broadcast all men’s Test matches and women’s internationals, 23 WBBL matches and 33 of 43 BBL matches.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Cricket Australia until 2030-31. A comprehensive package of digital rights to the cricket for 7plus will ensure that for the first time, our viewers will be able to access cricket, live and free, in a way that suits them,” Seven West Media managing director and CEO James Warburton said.
“Our combined broadcast and digital rights for both cricket and the AFL means Seven and 7plus will be the home of sport all year round.”
As part of the deal Seven will pay $65 million in cricket media rights fees a year, a 13% reduction on the current agreement. With cash and production savings Seven claim to be saving more than $50m over the term of the agreement compared to the existing deal.
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