Cricket Australia could retain contentious BBL schedule
BY Daniel Cherny
Cricket
Cricket Australia is confident that the length of the BBL schedule will not alter in a new media rights deal.
The landmark six-year broadcast rights deal signed in 2018 will expire at the end of the 2023-24 season, however a resolution could occur sooner.
Seven West Media has sought to terminate its current contract with CA over claims the BBL had not delivered an acceptable standard.
Average crowds and ratings have fallen since its inaugural season back in 2018.
The current 61-match format has also come under fire with CA executive general manager Stephanie Beltrame commenting directly on the current schedule.
Stephanie Beltrame
"We’ve certainly had discussions thus far about [the] existing competition. I don‘t know whether reducing the number changes … the length of the season anyway, because you still want to be playing cricket every night."
Meanwhile, the burgeoning Women’s Big Bash League has been offered as a separate broadcast package to the men’s competition for the first time.
Foxtel/Kayo, Seven, Nine and Ten have all shown interest in acquiring at least some of the rights for the next deal.