99 not out: Cricket signs seven-year radio deal with the ABC

The ABC will produce radio coverage of the Big Bash League under a new deal with Cricket Australia that will also boost coverage of women’s cricket on commercial radio.

At the conclusion of the seven-year-deal the ABC will have broadcast Australian cricket on the radio for 99 years.

Cricket Australia said the timing of the radio deals with ABC, SEN and Triple M aligned with its television broadcast rights with the Seven Network and Foxtel in running through to 2030-31.

Under the agreements, the value of which was not disclosed, the ABC and SEN will carry all men’s and women’s internationals as well as the Big Bash League and the Women’s Big Bash League.

Cricket Australia executive general manager, business and legal affairs Kate Ingber said the sport was “delighted” to extend its radio broadcast deals.

“Cricket is the sound of summer and we are fortunate to have partners who will provide such knowledgeable and passionate coverage of huge events including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Women’s and Men’s Ashes and the Big Bash Leagues across their stations and digital platforms,” she said.

ABC head of capital city network and sport Mike Fitzpatrick said this would be the first time in a decade that the public broadcaster had broadcast radio coverage of the BBL.

“This new agreement takes us to our 99th (not out) year of broadcasting cricket on the ABC,” he said.

”The ABC is synonymous with cricket, it has always been the soundtrack of summer and now all Australians will be able to hear every ball, across multiple platforms, commercial free.“

Cricket Australia and the ABC both declined to comment on the pricetag for the rights.

The deal comes as ABC radio is battling a ratings slump in key markets. Ratings numbers in April, covering the period from February 4 to March 30, saw the ABC post its worst result on record in Sydney and its second-worst result on record in Melbourne.

SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison said his network would broadcast cricket throughout its platforms including its app and website.

“Our audiences love cricket, and we are excited to bring them every thrilling moment of the game,” he said.

This is the first time Triple M will broadcast women’s cricket and Southern Cross Austereo chief executive John Kelly said the network was excited to grow its coverage.