ECB and BBC extend TV partnership to 2028
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced an extension to its broadcast partnership with the BBC, running from 2025 to 2028, ensuring continued free-to-air cricket coverage across the UK.
The renewed agreement ensures the BBC will continue to broadcast highlights of all England Men’s and Women’s home international matches across BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website, including the 2025 series against India and the men’s and women’s Ashes series in 2027. The deal also includes digital clips.
Live television and iPlayer coverage of The Hundred men’s and women’s tournaments will also remain on BBC Sport each year, featuring eight double-headers per season, including the opening games and finals for both competitions.
The new deal includes an increase in the number of live women’s games shown on the BBC.
This extension builds on the previous agreement which saw live cricket return to BBC TV in 2020. The deal complements the existing audio agreement ensuring Test Match Special broadcasts until at least 2028 and the contract to broadcast men’s and women’s County cricket.
The BBC also retains live audio rights for England home internationals and domestic cricket, and holds ICC digital clip and audio rights until 2027.
Tony Singh, ECB Chief Commercial Officer, said, “With our shared passion for growing women’s sport, it’s exciting that the BBC will be showing even more live women’s games in The Hundred each year, while viewers will continue to have free access to highlights of England Men’s and Women’s home matches during what promises to be an exciting period for cricket in this country.”
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said, “Cricket isn’t just a game of numbers, it’s a game of stories. From unforgettable Ashes battles to exhilarating last-ball victories in The Hundred, this renewed partnership ensures BBC Sport will continue to bring the drama, emotion, and timeless moments of cricket to life for fans across the UK.”
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