It appears that BT Sport are in line to win the broadcasting rights for the upcoming 2021-22 Ashes series in Australia. BT already have an existing deal to air Australia’s games in the UK, including their home games and the Big Bash, which is worth £80 million. That deal is set to expire this year and does not include the Ashes series set to start on December 8.
Nothing has yet been signed, but BT sport is expected to extend this deal, and the ECB has been informed that they will likely be the broadcaster of the series. Sky are reluctant to bid too much money given the lower viewing figures an away Ashes series, and its sizeable time differences, tends to produce.
BT is beginning to widen its grip on cricket coverage, having recently agreed deals with the New Zealand and West indies cricket boards to air their home internationals. The Ashes series itself this year is still a doubt though given the strict COVID protocols and resulting personal complications that will be present.
