Nine, Foxtel strike media rights extension with ECB until 2031: Reports

The Australian commercial free-to-air television network, Nine Entertainment Co. (Nine) along with the Australian media company, Foxtel Group have reportedly inked a media rights extension with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in Australia from 2024 to 2031.

During the term of the new agreement, two Ashes men’s series will be broadcast by Nine in 2027 and 2031.

The remaining home matches between Australia and England, which will include three T20I matches and five ODIs in September 2024, will air on Foxtel.

Australia’s “anti-siphoning” list, which specifies which athletic events must be broadcast on free-to-air television, includes the Ashes. White-ball matches between Australia and England are not presently on the list.

The ECB receives assistance from Pitch International in negotiating media rights for all foreign markets.

Nine, who had already negotiated deals for the Ashes in 2015 and 2019, have obtained rights to the 2023 series in a stand-alone agreement. The ECB rights, except the Ashes, were owned by Foxtel from 2020 to 2023.