Channel 4 Agrees Cricket World Cup Final Deal

Channel 4 has agreed a partnership with Sky which will make the 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand available free-to-air for the whole of the UK to watch.

The deal was confirmed after England’s comprehensive eight-wicket semi-final victory over Australia. Sky last week pledged to make the final available on free-to-air television should England make it to the conclusion of the tournament, but at that point did not specify how it intended to do so.

Channel 4 will now carry Sky’s coverage of the final from 9am. Cricket coverage will move to the More 4 channel at 1.15pm while Formula One’s British Grand Prix airs on Channel 4, with the cricket returning to Channel 4 after the race has finished.

Channel 4 has an established working relationship with Sky. Sunday’s British GP will be the only live free-to-air grand prix to be shown this season under a separate agreement between the two broadcasters.

Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon said: “This Sunday is a massive day for British sport with England tantalisingly close to lifting the Cricket World Cup for the first time and Lewis Hamilton setting his sights on his seventh season win at Silverstone – all live on Channel 4.

“The big winners of the strong partnership between Channel 4 and Sky are sports fans and viewers who want to come together for these big sporting occasions.”

England entered into its home World Cup as tournament favourite and there have been growing calls for increased free-to-air coverage. Sky holds the live rights to the competition under its eight-year deal for International Cricket Council-organised events that was signed in October 2014. Channel 4 and the BBC hold highlights and online clip rights, respectively.

In an effort to further widen coverage, Sky will also make Sunday’s Lord’s final available on Sky One. The channel has almost double the number of subscribers of Sky Sports at 12 million.

Sky UK and Ireland Chief Executive, Stephen van Rooyen, said: “England in the final on home soil is a huge moment for sport in this country and we are proud to be the host broadcaster.

“Thanks to our strong relationship with Channel 4, we are partnering to make the game available to everyone, so the whole country can get behind England, and be part of a special national sporting event.”