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Cricket could return to Channel Nine as the broadcaster leads the race to win the rights after being the home of the sport for 40 years.
It seems unlikely that US broadcast giants Paramount will win exclusive broadcast rights to cricket despite pitching a record $1.5 billion with a combined bid from Channel Nine and Fox Sports emerging as the favourite.
Cricket is set for a massive payday with hot competition for exclusive Test cricket rights, limited international overs and the domestic Big Bash League.
Foxtel and Seven West Media currently hold the rights after securing a six-year broadcast deal in 2019 that ended 40 years of cricket on Channel Nine.
The Channel Nine commentary team of Mark Nicholas, the late Shane Warne and Mark Taylor used to be an iconic part of summer.
However, with that deal due to expire in 2025, Channel Nine is well positioned to beat out both Seven West Media and Paramount, which own Channel Ten, to reclaim its place as the home of cricket in Australia alongside Foxtel.
This could be the case for Groundhog Day for Paramount, which also made a massive gamble for exclusive AFL broadcast rights before being beaten out by Foxtel, Seven West Media and Telstra, who all secured the rights until 2031.
Paramount’s $1.5bn offer was the biggest ever for Australian cricket and dwarfs the $1.182bn deal Seven West Media and Foxtel paid in 2019.
However, Cricket Australia has reportedly been hesitant to move to a full broadcast service and is working on a deal involving News Corp, Foxtel and the return of Channel Nine.
Nine likely only has the rights to cover FTA, with streaming to go on News Corp’s Kayo platform.
Finances are still being negotiated, but the Herald Sun has reported that Cricket Australia wants Channel Nine to put up $80m, which would close the gap in Paramount’s bid when combined with spending from Foxtel and News Corp.
While Seven West Media and Foxtel would be willing to combine for a new deal, their offer was $40 million less than Paramount’s deal, meaning it’s unlikely.
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This is because Seven West Media have no interest in the Big Bash League and have made several attempts to terminate their contract with Cricket Australia alleging breaches of contract by the sports body.
If cricket were to return to Channel Nine, the network would have a monopoly on top-tier summer sporting events after securing the Australian Tennis Open for $100 million a year.
Cricket Australia is expected to make its decision in the coming days.