BBC and ECB agree new four-year rights deal
The BBC have agreed a rights deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which includes England men's and women's international highlights and live coverage of The Hundred for the next four years. There will be highlights of all red and white ball internationals across television, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with digital clips also included in the deal. Live coverage of the The Hundred men's and women's tournaments will also remain on BBC Sport each year, covering eight double-headers each season, including the opening matches and the finals across TV and iPlayer. This will see more live women's games screened on the BBC than previously.But there will be no live international matches - two men's and women's T20s were included in the preceding deal.England's home summer begins with the women's white-ball series against West Indies on 21 May, before the one-off men's Test against Zimbabwe starts the following day. A women's white-ball series against India follows later in the summer, while the men play five Tests against the same opponents. The deal spans from 2025-2028 and also includes both home Ashes series in 2027.
This adds to the BBC's ongoing audio deal with the ECB, with Test Match Special being broadcast until at least 2028, along with the new four-year contract to broadcast men's and women's county cricket."We're delighted to be extending our partnership, guaranteeing another four years of live cricket on BBC TV," said ECB Chief Commercial Officer Tony Singh."With our shared passion for growing women's sport, it's exciting that the BBC will be showing even more live women's games in The Hundred each year, while viewers will continue to have free access to highlights of England Men's and Women's home matches during what promises to be an exciting period for cricket in this country."Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, added: "Cricket isn't just a game of numbers, it's a game of stories. "From unforgettable Ashes battles to exhilarating last-ball victories in The Hundred, this renewed partnership ensures BBC Sport will continue to bring the drama, emotion and timeless moments of cricket to life for fans across the UK."
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