BBC Secures New Four-Year Audio Deal for ICC Events
In a significant development for cricket enthusiasts, the BBC has secured a new four-year audio deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to broadcast all major global tournaments. This agreement ensures that the BBC will provide ball-by-ball commentary on every tournament, beginning with the Men’s T20 World Cup, where England will defend their title starting this Sunday.
Comprehensive Coverage Across Major Tournaments
This new deal spans a range of high-profile events. The BBC’s audio rights will cover the Men’s and Women’s 50-over World Cup, two Women’s T20 World Cups, including the 2026 event in England, and another Men’s T20 tournament in 2026. Additionally, the agreement includes the returning Men’s Champions Trophy in 2025 and a new Women’s T20 event in 2027. The Under-19 World Cups are also part of this extensive coverage.
Enhancing the Cricket Experience
Adam Mountford, BBC’s head of cricket, expressed his excitement about the extended partnership. “It’s great news that we’ve extended our audio rights partnership with the ICC for another four years. We know from our 50+ years of broadcasting men’s and women’s world tournaments that these are events that really resonate with audiences and it’s brilliant that our new deal begins with England’s defence of their Men’s T20 World Cup title.”
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice also highlighted the significance of this collaboration. “We are delighted to partner with the BBC, an organisation renowned for its rich history in sports broadcasting. This collaboration will significantly elevate the audio experience for cricket fans, providing unparalleled access to ICC events over the next four years through the ICC’s digital platforms.”
Continuing Partnerships and Future Prospects
In addition to this new deal, the BBC also holds audio rights deals with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for home internationals until the end of the 2028 season and with Cricket Australia for the upcoming men’s and women’s Ashes series. These agreements underscore the BBC’s commitment to delivering comprehensive cricket coverage to fans across the globe.
With this new four-year audio deal, cricket fans can look forward to uninterrupted, high-quality commentary on some of the sport’s most anticipated events, reaffirming the BBC’s role as a key player in sports broadcasting.