Is this the end of cricket on Channel Nine?
Many Australians couldn’t imagine summer without being able to tune in and watch the cricket on Channel Nine, but they might have to switch stations with the network set to lose broadcasting rights to the sport for the first time in 40 years.
The Australian Financial Review reports a broadcast deal is being negotiated with Foxtel, Seven Media and Network Ten that could see Nine without cricket for the first time since the 1970s.
The rights deal, which some experts suggest could be worth as much as $1 billion is expected to be announced as soon as Friday.
Reports suggests one of the networks would gain right to international test matches and some of the domestic Big Bash League, while Foxtel would hold exclusive rights to other BBL matches.
Live tests and limited-overs internationals would be broadcast simultaneously with Foxtel.
While details remain hazy, it’s been suggested that the new deal could last as long as seven years.
This would be an end of an era for Channel Nine, which has retained the rights to the cricket since Kerry Packer snapped them up in the late 1970s.
What are your thoughts?