Australia’s World Test Championship and ODI World Cup defences will be shown exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Key points:
- All ICC tournament matches will be shown exclusively in Australia on Amazon’s Prime Video for the next four years
- The deal, beginning in January 2024, will cover 448 live international matches including men’s and women’s Cricket World Cups and Champions Trophy
- The recently completed Cricket World Cup, won by Australia, was broadcast locally for paying customers on Foxtel/Kayo and by Channel Nine on free-to-air
The streaming platform has secured the broadcast rights in Australia for all men’s and women’s International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments for the next four years.
Foxtel/Kayo broadcast the entire recent ODI World Cup, while the Nine Network screened only Australia’s games.
The move comes just days after the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to sport anti-siphoning measures.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland last week introduced laws to parliament updating anti-siphoning measures that would require free-to-air services to be offered first refusal for important sporting events.
“All Australians regardless of where they live, or what they earn, should have the opportunity to enjoy free TV coverage of iconic sporting events,” Rowland said.
ICC boss Geoff Allardice welcomed the partnership with Amazon.
“We are very excited to be entering a new four-year partnership with Prime Video for ICC cricket rights in Australia,” he said in a statement.
“The recently concluded men’s World Cup has highlighted the interest and passion for ICC events across the globe, and especially in Australia where cricket fans have enjoyed the recent success of their men’s and women’s teams.
“We look forward to working with Prime Video Australia to provide an innovative coverage of world class cricket to more fans in Australia.”
The new partnership between the ICC and Amazon will begin in January.
“Over the next four years, Prime members in Australia will be able to watch their favourite cricket teams and players compete for the game’s biggest prize, on demand, on the device of their choice — exclusively on Prime Video,” Prime Video Australia and New Zealand boss Hushidar Kharas said.
Prime Video has not had rights to broadcast cricket games in Australia before this.
However the streaming service has had success with the documentary series The Test, which showed a behind-the-scenes look at the Australian team over a period of years in the wake of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
AAP/ABC
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