Australians Face World T20 TV Blackout As Broadcast Costs Skyrocket

Australian cricket fans could be "facing a potential blackout" for next month’s World T20 in India after Indian host broadcaster Star Sports "knocked back offers from Australian networks," according to Greg Buckle of the HERALD SUN. Nine and Fox Sports both "expressed interest in hosting the event but couldn’t come to terms with Star Sports," which has purchased the broadcasting rights to the Int'l Cricket Council’s major tournaments and "can onsell them to other networks." The ICC is based in the UAE which means Australian networks would also have to pay a 30% tax "on top of any deal with Star Sports." Fox Sports and free-to-air networks Nine and Ten indicated on Wednesday they had "no deals in place for the tournament." However, negotiations "are still taking place and the Fox Sports pay-TV network could still mount a late bid to broadcast the March 8 to April 3 event." The late-night game times for Australian viewers "may also have been a turn-off for some networks" (HERALD SUN, 2/24).