Cricket's next TV deal could reach A$800M ($587.5M) as Channel 9 "prepares to throw everything at securing the Big Bash League," according to Christian Nicolussi of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. This week's cricket has "proved why the Ten Network is facing an almighty fight to retain rights to the BBL." The Twenty20 matches have "challenged" the Sydney Cricket Ground "when it comes to TV ratings." While Nine "attracted a national peak audience" of 1.82 million and 1.47 million on its opening two days, Ten’s BBL numbers peaked at 1.47 million for Tuesday’s Sydney Sixers-Brisbane Heat match, "then 1.48 million the following night in the Sydney Thunder last-ball win." Nine is "so desperate" to add the BBL to its summer schedule it is "placing more importance on the short-form rights than Australia’s internationals." Given the BBL is run by Cricket Australia -- not the Int'l Cricket Council -- there is "more room for networks to trial new technology such as miking up players while batting and bowling." Fox Sports is "not expected to compete for the new BBL rights and Cricket Australia would also prefer cricket remain on the free-to-air networks" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 1/5).
