ITV Linked To Ashes Highlights Rights Deal
Terrestrial broadcaster ITV is reportedly in talks with regards to a TV rights deal to screen daily highlights of the upcoming Ashes Test match series between England and Australia this winter.
Should the reports prove true it would mark the broadcaster’s first foray into televised Test match cricket.
Although no deal has been signed, talks are understood to be at an advanced stage for ITV4 to broadcast a 60-minute highlights show at 10pm on each day of Ashes play during the five-match series, which begins in Brisbane on 25th November.
ITV4 would also air highlights of England’s seven one-day and two Twenty20 internationals in Australia in January and February.
The ITV digital channel had exclusive live coverage of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition earlier this year, attracting audiences of more than 500,000 for some matches.
Sky Sports has exclusive UK live TV rights to the Ashes series and the one-day and Twenty20 internationals in Australia. The ITV4 highlights will be broadcast shortly before Sky’s live coverage of the next day’s Ashes play begins each night.
ITV is negotiating with IMG, which handles TV rights deals on behalf of the Australian Cricket Board.
