Channel 5 To Show BBL Matches
Channel 5 has agreed a deal with BT Sport to show live cricket from the Big Bash League (BBL), bringing live cricket to mainstream terrestrial TV in the UK for the first time in more than ten years.
The terrestrial broadcaster has reportedly paid a six-figure fee for five BBL matches from the coming season. The channel’s first game will be on Boxing Day, when Stuart Broad’s Hobart Hurricances face Kevin Pietersen’s Melbourne Stars.
BT Sport has the rights to all 35 BBL matches, but has agreed a deal which will also allow Channel 5 highlights of the final.
The last live match shown on terrestrial TV in the UK was the fifth Ashes test in 2005, which was shown on Channel 4 before Sky Sports took over the rights in 2006.
Since then, freeview channels ITV4 and Dave have shown the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League respectively this summer.
Executive producer, Mark Sharman said: “We’re delighted to give a terrestrial home to live cricket for the first time in over a decade. The competition complements our growing sports portfolio which includes international cricket, live boxing and top class motor sports.”
According to reports, former England captain Michael Vaughan, record wicket-taker James Anderson and former internationals Michael Carberry and James Taylor will all be involved in coverage.
