- Yesterday, Sky Network Television lost its broadcasting rights of New Zealand cricket of 24 years, as competitor Spark Sport won a six-year deal instead
- Today, Sky announced it will extend its broadcasting rights with the International Cricket Council instead for another four years
- The company emphasised it’s an upcoming lineup, including next week’s Men’s Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers
- Despite the saving grace news, the company’s shares are trading 0.60 per cent lower today at 83.5 cents per share
Just a day after the Sky Network Television lost its broadcasting rights of New Zealand cricket of 24 years, a new development has emerged.
Holding a broadcasting partnership with New Zealand cricket since 1995, the company had lost out on a six year contract to competitor Spark Sport.
However, Sky hit back with some saving grace today, announcing a four year broadcasting rights extension with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“We’re thrilled to be able to deliver four more years of top tier international cricket, including World Cup tournaments, to Kiwi sport fans and Sky customers,” Sky CEO Martin Stewart said.
“We’ve worked with ICC’s Global Media Rights Holders, Star and ICC for a number of years and we’re looking forward to continuing to develop our relationship with them.”
The ICC broadcasting deal is valid until the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. The deal includes both women and men’s ICC tournaments.
“In line with our commitment to broadcast more women’s sports, there’s a good balance of both men’s and women’s tournaments,” Martin said.
“We’re especially excited to be showing the 2021 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup that will be held in New Zealand. It’s going to be a special event for Kiwi sports fans and even more exciting that it will be on home turf.”
The future lineup for Sky includes 24 matches from the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers which starts next week. February will see the broadcaster air the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup.
“The depth and breadth of our sports offer is second to none, and we continue to add more,” Martin continued.
“This latest deal follows the announcement of our six-year deal with Cricket Australia, including the iconic Boxing Day Test with Australia.”
Earlier this year, Sky also announced a “supercharged sports lineup”, which included a dedicated television channel for cricket.
Despite the consolation news from Sky today, the company’s shares on the Australian market have fallen 0.60 per cent. Shares are trading for 83.5 cents each in a $347.9 million market cap.