In a momentous announcement, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and BBC Sport have joined forces to bring cricket aficionados an extended audio deal, promising live coverage of the sport across BBC radio and BBC Sounds until the culmination of the 2028 season.
Building upon the existing agreement, which was set to expire in 2024, this renewed four-year deal secures the exclusive broadcast rights to all of England’s home Tests, one-day internationals, and IT20s on the airwaves of BBC radio.
This agreement ensures that the illustrious Test Match Special (TMS) will endure beyond its 70th Birthday, as it continues to deliver comprehensive ball-by-ball commentary, a tradition initiated back in 1957.
Moreover, TMS will be expanding its coverage to include matches from the men’s county cricket and women’s domestic season. Fans will also find further analysis and news stories on the BBC Sport website, while the thrill of The Hundred can be experienced through live commentary on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds.
Reflecting on this development, Tony Singh, ECB Chief Commercial Officer, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “For many people, TMS, BBC Radio, and BBC Sounds will serve as steadfast companions throughout an exhilarating summer of cricket.
Not only will they be the sole source for live audio commentary of The Ashes, but they will also bring forth exceptional coverage of men’s county and women’s domestic cricket, as well as The Hundred.
We are absolutely thrilled to extend this successful partnership, allowing listeners to continue tuning in to BBC Radio and BBC Sounds for live cricket commentary for an additional four years.”
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, echoed the sentiments of delight, acknowledging the profound value that cricket holds for BBC radio listeners, particularly through TMS, which seamlessly blends expert analysis with engaging and entertaining commentary.
Slater emphasized the integral role TMS plays in the cricket landscape, asserting that this new deal “ensures TMS continues its great tradition of making cricket accessible to all.”
With this announcement, cricket enthusiasts can rest assured that the timeless allure of TMS will continue to regale audiences, while BBC’s comprehensive coverage will keep fans closely connected to the game they love, epitomizing the spirit of accessibility and passion that cricket evokes.