The Big Bash League and the rest of Australian cricket could end up on Channel Ten in a new deal. GETTY IMAGES
Channel Ten has "emerged as the potential home of cricket," although a partnership with Nine or pay-TV's Fox Sports "appears a more likely scenario," according to Jon Pierik of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Bids for the latest round of Cricket Australia's next broadcast deal closed at 5pm on Monday, although "there will still be much to discuss between networks and the game's governing body." The expiring five-year contract was worth about A$500M ($385M) "in cash and contra," with the new deal, expected to be over six years, to be between A$900M ($693.6M) and A$1B ($770M). Channel Nine and Ten were reportedly preparing a joint bid, which would involve the rights to int'l cricket on home soil and the Big Bash League "being split between the parties." The two networks had "also spoken with Fox Sports." However, sources on Monday said that Ten was "ready to bid for the entire package" of int'l and BBL rights, as it had five years ago, and had the backing of its new owner, American network CBS, to do so. Nine CEO Hugh Marks "has made it clear" his network will not pay "overs" for the rights, and it is understood Nine has a "cut off point in terms of what it will bid" to retain the int'l rights (SMH, 3/19).
