Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights
- Seven West Media (SWM) strikes new deal with Cricket Australia to extend its media rights to the 2030-31 season for an annual cost of $65 million
- The latest cricket deal, which will see its 7Plus station become the live and free home of cricket, results in cash savings of more than $50 million
- This is the first time Seven West has held digital rights to cricket which will ensures live and free access to users in a way that suits them
- Concurrently, the parties have mutually agreed to terminate current court proceedings regarding allegations Cricket Australia breached its contract by reducing the quality and standards of the Big Bash League (BBL)
- Shares in Seven West Media holds steady at 39.5 cents as of 9:56 am AEDT
Seven West Media (SWM) has struck a deal with Cricket Australia to extend its media rights to the 2030-31 season for an annual cost of $65 million.
The latest cricket deal represents a 13 per cent reduction of media rights fees on the current agreement, resulting in cash savings of more than $50 million.
As part of the new contract, SWM’s 7Plus station will become the live and free home of cricket alongside an “extensive” digital package of rights, a first for Seven West.
The deal will include two Ashes Tests Series and two Indian tours of Australia, and a planned revamp of the Big Bash League (BBL) by Cricket Australia to create a shorter tournament that will run for up to six weeks.
As part of the partnership’s shared goal of improving the BBL, SWM has also offered a revenue share upside on the BBL. SWM has conceded to pay increased rights fees if SWM achieves certain BBL revenue hurdles.
SWM Managing Director and CEO James Warburton said the company is delighted to extend its 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.”
In line with the new contract, SWM and Cricket Australia have mutually agreed to terminate the current court proceedings regarding allegations Cricket Australia breached its contract by reducing the quality and standards of the BBL, with immediate effect.
Shares in Seven West Media held steady at 39.5 cents as of 9:56 am AEDT.
