BBC Sport to offer ball-by-ball audio commentary after deal renewal with CA

The sports broadcasting wing of BBC, the BBC Sport has announced a partnership extension with the governing body for cricket in Australia, Cricket Australia.

Following the extension, the BBC will continue to cover live coverage of the Ashes that will be played in Australia until 2026–27. For all England men’s and women’s matches played in Australia, Test Match Special will offer unique ball-by-ball commentary. BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and 5 Live will all carry live coverage.

The next women’s Ashes series is slated to take place in late 2024 and in late 2025–2026 for the men. In addition, a men’s white-ball tour to Australia is planned for late 2026. The deal also includes the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), as well as all men’s and women’s home international matches.

Earlier in June, an agreement for audio rights to all England men’s and women’s home international matches until 2028 was reached by BBC Sport and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

The 2023 Ashes set a new high for BBC services, having 27.3 million listening requests for Test Match Special on BBC Sounds or the BBC Sport website, a 12.6 million rise over the previous season. Moreover, nearly 60 million viewers watched video segments, a 25.2 million increase over the previous season. There were also approximately 500 million page views on the BBC Sport website, as well as 194 million views on social media.