In a significant announcement today, BBC Sport has revealed a new audio deal that will extend live cricket coverage across BBC radio and BBC Sounds until the end of the 2028 season. This four-year agreement, an extension of the existing deal that was set to run until 2024, guarantees exclusive live coverage of all England’s home Tests, one-day internationals, and IT20s on BBC radio.
One of the most notable outcomes of this agreement is that the legendary Test Match Special (TMS) will continue to be broadcast beyond its 70th birthday. TMS, which first introduced full ball-by-ball commentary in 1957, will also cover matches in the men’s County cricket and women’s domestic season. Furthermore, the BBC Sport website will provide additional analysis and news stories, while live commentary of every game from The Hundred will be available on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds.
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, expressed her enthusiasm for the extended partnership: “We understand the immense value listeners place on cricket coverage on BBC radio, particularly TMS with its unique blend of expert analysis, engaging commentary, and entertaining coverage. It is an integral part of the cricketing landscape, and we are delighted that this new deal ensures TMS can continue its long-standing tradition of making cricket accessible to all.”
Tony Singh, Chief Commercial Officer of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), also emphasised the significance of the partnership: “For many people, TMS, BBC Radio, and BBC Sounds will be constant companions throughout an exciting summer of cricket. Not only will they be the only source for live audio commentary of The Ashes, but they will also provide comprehensive coverage of men’s county and women’s domestic cricket, as well as The Hundred. We are thrilled to extend this successful partnership, enabling listeners to tune in to BBC Radio and BBC Sounds for live cricket commentary for an additional four years.”
Cricket coverage on BBC radio and BBC Sounds forms part of a broad audio rights portfolio that includes live football events like the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup, as well as the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, Men’s Golf Majors (including the Masters and The Open Championship), Formula 1, the Six Nations, and the tennis Grand Slam tournaments (including the Wimbledon Championships).
With this extended agreement, cricket enthusiasts can rejoice as BBC Sport continues to deliver comprehensive coverage of the sport across various platforms, ensuring that the nation remains immersed in the excitement of cricket for years to come.
