Sky Sports agree cut-price last-minute deal to save England clash from TV blackout [Update at post#50]

[The Bald Eagle]

England are facing a possible TV blackout for their Test tour of Pakistan in October with not a single UK broadcaster having bid for the rights for the three-match series

The Guardian has learned that a tender document issued last month by the Pakistan Cricket Board has not produced any interest from the UK, with none of the broadcasters even entering negotiations at this stage.

England’s most recent Test series in Pakistan in December 2022 was televised by Sky Sports, which holds the exclusive rights for all home Test matches. Ben Stokes’s tourists made history on that trip with England becoming the first side to secure a 3-0 series win in Pakistan on the back of some extraordinary Bazball batting and disciplined bowling, although that remarkable feat has not sparked interest in this year’s tour.

Sky is understood to have provided a firm indication to the PCB that it is not intending to bid, while TNT Sport has declined to enter the negotiations and has no plans to do so.

To complicate matters further the PCB has engaged a local marketing agency to sell the overseas rights to the series rather than a global company such as IMG or Pitch International, who secured a late deal for England’s Test tour to India this year. Channel 4 bought the rights for England’s Test tour to India in 2021 during the third Covid lockdown, but that was a one-off with there being a large TV audience at home and the channel has not since bid for Test cricket.

Sky was the home of England’s away Test series for almost 30 years since it became the first broadcaster to televise an overseas tour live when Graham Gooch’s side visited West Indies in 1990, but has increasingly withdrawn from the market in recent years. The company has taken a strategic decision to focus its resources on ensuring it maintains exclusive rights for England’s home series and events such as the World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan next year.

Sky’s reasoning is based on analysis that the cost of buying overseas rights and covering tours with its high production values is hard to justify given the limited number of additional subscribers they attract, particularly at a time of year when it has so much live football to broadcast. Sky Cricket’s winter programming is as a result dominated by overseas T20 leagues including the IPL, SA20 and ILT20, with the commentary and production provided by local teams.

Source: The Guardian

 

[PakHammer]

England are facing a possible TV blackout for their Test tour of Pakistan in October with not a single UK broadcaster having bid for the rights for the three-match series

The Guardian has learned that a tender document issued last month by the Pakistan Cricket Board has not produced any interest from the UK, with none of the broadcasters even entering negotiations at this stage.

England’s most recent Test series in Pakistan in December 2022 was televised by Sky Sports, which holds the exclusive rights for all home Test matches. Ben Stokes’s tourists made history on that trip with England becoming the first side to secure a 3-0 series win in Pakistan on the back of some extraordinary Bazball batting and disciplined bowling, although that remarkable feat has not sparked interest in this year’s tour.

Sky is understood to have provided a firm indication to the PCB that it is not intending to bid, while TNT Sport has declined to enter the negotiations and has no plans to do so.

To complicate matters further the PCB has engaged a local marketing agency to sell the overseas rights to the series rather than a global company such as IMG or Pitch International, who secured a late deal for England’s Test tour to India this year. Channel 4 bought the rights for England’s Test tour to India in 2021 during the third Covid lockdown, but that was a one-off with there being a large TV audience at home and the channel has not since bid for Test cricket.

Sky was the home of England’s away Test series for almost 30 years since it became the first broadcaster to televise an overseas tour live when Graham Gooch’s side visited West Indies in 1990, but has increasingly withdrawn from the market in recent years. The company has taken a strategic decision to focus its resources on ensuring it maintains exclusive rights for England’s home series and events such as the World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan next year.

Sky’s reasoning is based on analysis that the cost of buying overseas rights and covering tours with its high production values is hard to justify given the limited number of additional subscribers they attract, particularly at a time of year when it has so much live football to broadcast. Sky Cricket’s winter programming is as a result dominated by overseas T20 leagues including the IPL, SA20 and ILT20, with the commentary and production provided by local teams.

Source: The Guardian

Wonder if TNT Sports will change their mind closer to the series starting? They agreed to screen the Bangla test series a day before it started.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is optimistic about securing a broadcaster for the upcoming three-Test series against England in the UK, as reported by a local news channel

Concerns had arisen about a potential TV blackout after reports suggested that no broadcasters had yet shown interest in airing the series in the UK.

Traditionally, Sky Sports has been the go-to channel for broadcasting England's overseas Test matches for nearly 30 years, including the Pakistan vs England series in 2022. However, this time, Sky Sports has reportedly informed the PCB that they will not be bidding to broadcast the series.

Despite this setback, PCB sources have assured that efforts are ongoing to find new broadcasters. With more than seven weeks remaining before the series begins, the board remains hopeful that a solution will be found, ensuring that cricket fans in the UK will not miss out on the action.

“Broadcasters not coming forward does not mean that discussions with broadcasters are not ongoing. Discussions are underway to telecast the series in England. There are still seven weeks left before the first Test against England starts, we are hopeful that people in England will get to watch the series," PCB sources told.

Pakistan is already in the middle of a busy cricket schedule, starting with a two-Test series against Bangladesh at home. The series against England is set to begin in October. Following that, Pakistan faces a challenging period in November and December, where they will tour Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The team will play white-ball cricket against Australia and Zimbabwe, and face South Africa in all three formats.

 

[Savak]

The PCB requested international broadcasters to pay $21 million for a jampacked home season covering 3 years for Pakistan where you are going to have teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka England, New Zealand, West Indies, Tri Nation ODI series featuring South Africa, New Zealand, the Champions Trophy from 2024 to 2026. The best offer the PCB got was $7 million for 3 years.

Now apparently Sky is not interested in broadcasting the England tour of Pakistan next month and the PCB is struggling to find any interest among UK broadcasters.

If this is not a warning sign for the PCB to pull up their socks then i don't know what is.

The ICC money of $34 million per annum will likely not materialize as Star is refusing to pay ICC the $3 billion it promised and wants to re-negotiate the deal down to $1.5 billion and the ICC share of every nation will be negatively impacted therefore whatever development projects the PCB is planning will have to be revised.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

The PCB requested international broadcasters to pay $21 million for a jampacked home season covering 3 years for Pakistan where you are going to have teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka England, New Zealand, West Indies, Tri Nation ODI series featuring South Africa, New Zealand, the Champions Trophy from 2024 to 2026. The best offer the PCB got was $7 million for 3 years.

Now apparently Sky is not interested in broadcasting the England tour of Pakistan next month and the PCB is struggling to find any interest among UK broadcasters.

If this is not a warning sign for the PCB to pull up their socks then i don't know what is.

The ICC money of $34 million per annum will likely not materialize as Star is refusing to pay ICC the $3 billion it promised and wants to re-negotiate the deal down to $1.5 billion and the ICC share of every nation will be negatively impacted therefore whatever development projects the PCB is planning will have to be revised.

i am amazed why no one agreed to bid for such a lucrative event

 

[Bhaijaan]

I think they’re just delaying it to get the PFB desperate to sell the rights cheap eventually to escape embarrassment.

 

[pakistani pride]

"The end is nigh"

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The PCB requested international broadcasters to pay $21 million for a jampacked home season covering 3 years for Pakistan where you are going to have teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka England, New Zealand, West Indies, Tri Nation ODI series featuring South Africa, New Zealand, the Champions Trophy from 2024 to 2026. The best offer the PCB got was $7 million for 3 years.

Now apparently Sky is not interested in broadcasting the England tour of Pakistan next month and the PCB is struggling to find any interest among UK broadcasters.

If this is not a warning sign for the PCB to pull up their socks then i don't know what is.

The ICC money of $34 million per annum will likely not materialize as Star is refusing to pay ICC the $3 billion it promised and wants to re-negotiate the deal down to $1.5 billion and the ICC share of every nation will be negatively impacted therefore whatever development projects the PCB is planning will have to be revised.

The lack of rights in the UK is less about PCB and more about the lack of interest in England for test cricket especially away tours.

For random series between neutral sides like Bangladesh and Pakistan at the moment the British broadcasters are just happy to buy a feed. They don't send commentators or have any analysis. They don't feel like they can do that for England away tours as it will damage the England home product. So they feel forced to ensure top tier coverage, send analysts and commentators which makes the whole thing quite expensive. Sky for example has almost completely pulled out of England away tours.

 

[Savak]

A cricket team needs to be viewed as a stock being sold on the stock market.

The Indian, Australian and English Cricket teams are hot commodities which is why they usually get a higher price that they demand from the broadcasters, sponsors and advertisers. The top rankings of the teams and the quality of cricket they usually play testifies to their high quality consistency.

The Pakistani team's results in the last ten years barring the odd anomaly and the over rated prima donas who have not won a single match of significance against a top ranked opposition i.e. Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, Shadab, Rauf and co, naturally the stock value of the team is worth zilch hence why on a stock market no one would be interested in it. The PCB has a very strong case to reduce the compensation of the players as it is totally misaligned with the team's results.

 

[U$ofA]

i am amazed why no one agreed to bid for such a lucrative event

I guess not that lucrative after all.

It seems to affect Sky's bottom line. Not much gain in revenue. Which is reason enough for them to not bid. Probably the same for other broadcasters.

 

[Rana]

But Pakistan has its greatest ever superstars playing in this era?

Rizwan
Babar
Shaheen
Shadab
Naseem

A list superstars! Why can’t we sell our cricket?

 

[RidiculousMan]

It's all connected to the economy of Pakistan. People can deny it and keep a blind eye but the downfall of Pakistan Cricket even started in 2021

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

This is perfect time for BCCI and India to put further nails in the coffin. Refuse to come for Champions trophy..cause further loss to dushman mulk.

 

[gibsyhesperis]

There are only two tours abroad that will garner much of an audience here in the U.K. — Australia (obviously) and India.

The value of any product is defined by the willingness of someone to pay the price — this particular product does not seem to have much value.

 

[Rana]

It's all connected to the economy of Pakistan. People can deny it and keep a blind eye but the downfall of Pakistan Cricket even started in 2021

So it didn’t start when Wasim Khan was making the false perception that we have superstar players?

 

[RidiculousMan]

So it didn’t start when Wasim Khan was making the false perception that we have superstar players?

You can continue to box around the bush

 

[MenInG]

Wasim Khan was a superb admin and to be honest too good for Pakistan cricket.

That is not the point.

Point is that success breeds success.

When Pakistan start to win Tests then broadcasters will line up to get a chance.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Wasim Khan was a superb admin and to be honest too good for Pakistan cricket.

That is not the point.

Point is that success breeds success.

When Pakistan start to win Tests then broadcasters will line up to get a chance.

He was doing a terrific job and used his good relationships with ECB, ICC for the benefit of Pakistan cricket.

I feel sad that every time the power changes in Pakistan (which happens too frequently) , the PCB gets revamped. No PXB regime gets a decent amount of time to build the team. Everyone has to show quick magic.

 

[Hikaru]

I hope PCB sues these badtameez UK broadcasters. There's no reason for them to not broadcast such a highly anticipated series.

 

[Chip32]

Don’t blame em. Dead stadiums, dead pitches and a team with no real star power. Who exactly wants to pay for this?

 

[uppercut]

Guys ... just Wait for @Junaids to show up and turn this upside down and confirm why World cricket revolves around Pakistan. Have faith

 

[Deewana Mastana]

PCB should just go digital and sell them online and showcase it in 4K on YouTube for viewers everywhere across the world.

As people in Pakistan aren't bothered to watch it anyways.

Mostly it's those who are living in other parts of the world that want to watch so it's easier as internet connections are mostly available everywhere outside of the houses and work environment too so people can easily watch whenever they can.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

No buyers for Test cricket in places like Pakistan ? What a surprise.

 

[happydavy]

This is what test cricket is, baring the old players in the commentary box and the current old players who want to stay relevant, none is interested in playing test cricket. We can keep fooling ourselves that test cricket is the gold standard, or just accept the fact that test cricket and odi cricket, both are dead.

 

[RexRex]

As people in Pakistan aren't bothered to watch it anyways.

They're not ? I thought an Eng series would be great draw.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

They're not ?

Empty stands?

 

[RexRex]

Empty stands?

Empty stands exist in India too. I meant the TV/online audience.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Empty stands exist in India too. I meant the TV/online audience.

Would you not think that'll bring more audience especially from outside of Pakistan with 4k quality streaming online available for rest of the world?

 

[chinaman00]

Playing Pakistan, a serial failure team, is not lucrative and no one wants to put money into a Pakistan tour.

Pakistan cricket is the new PIA.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

dead pitches and lackluster team. Who wants to watch?

Just look at the BD test match, it will be a draw, there is nothing in the pitch. PCB is too scared to create turning or grassy wickets. Australia series was an embarrassment.

 

[shortbread]

To complicate matters further the PCB has engaged a local marketing agency to sell the overseas rights to the series rather than a global company such as IMG or Pitch International, who secured a late deal for England’s Test tour to India this year.

Which guy within the PCB came up with this brilliant idea? Must be a relative of some sort who's running the said agency, wont be surprised!

 

[Bhaijaan]

dead pitches and lackluster team. Who wants to watch?

Just look at the BD test match, it will be a draw, there is nothing in the pitch. PCB is too scared to create turning or grassy wickets. Australia series was an embarrassment.

Still 2 days left .
Jumping to conclusions too early

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Still 2 days left.
Jumping to conclusions too early

what's going to happen in 2 days? wicket is going to break and turn? Pakistan is playing 0 spinners. It's a draw.

 

[Bhaijaan]

what's going to happen in 2 days? wicket is going to break and turn? Pakistan is playing 0 spinners. It's a draw.

This is #Asianbloc

I have seen matches turn on their heads in a matter of session here.

Spinners can still wreck havoc here.

 

[BouncerGuy]

As per DT report:

The BBC is likely to secure the radio broadcasting rights for England's Test series in Pakistan, beginning October 7. This series might be Jonathan Agnew's final one as the BBC’s cricket correspondent before stepping down at the end of October, although he will continue as a broadcaster with the BBC for another four years.

Talksport, which broadcasts England's Test series in New Zealand and the white-ball tour to the West Indies, is not expected to win the rights for the Pakistan series. Previously, Talksport had secured the rights for England's Test series in India, while the BBC has obtained rights for all cricket World Cups and retains rights for home internationals and the next away Ashes series.

No television broadcaster has yet negotiated with the Pakistan Cricket Board for the series, reflecting a trend of late negotiations due to budget constraints and prioritizing major series.

 

[gibsyhesperis]

This is what test cricket is, baring the old players in the commentary box and the current old players who want to stay relevant, none is interested in playing test cricket. We can keep fooling ourselves that test cricket is the gold standard, or just accept the fact that test cricket and odi cricket, both are dead.

Well in England Test matches re still a huge draw.
The first four days of the Oval Test match against Sri Lanka are virtually sold out.
However, Tests are only relevant in the big 3 of Eng, Aus and India.

 

[AMSS]

Oh man.

I read the title of the thread and it made me think that it's ENG and English broadcasters who are struggling or facing a setback, not the PCB.

LMAO

 

[Bhaijaan]

Oh man.

I read the title of the thread and it made me think that it's ENG and English broadcasters who are struggling or facing a setback, not the PCB.

LMAO

In a way, that’s true as well.

It shows that England is dealing with severe financial crisis so much so that its broadcasters don’t have the money to buy dirt cheap broadcasting deals from PCB for its prominent team sport watched by millions. Shows Eng in a bad light imo.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

In a way, that’s true as well.

It shows that England is dealing with severe financial crisis so much so that its broadcasters don’t have the money to buy dirt cheap broadcasting deals from PCB for its prominent team sport watched by millions. Shows Eng in a bad light imo.

Yes but they could also just refuse to bid for the rights for the series as broadcasters may feel that, no matter how cheap, they will not generate any revenue and therefore it's not worth it from an investment perspective.

Ultimately, this whole episode seems to be a reflection of the general decline of test cricket, but, more specifically, the decline of test cricket in Pakistan with a shambolic team that has no real strategy/fails to play exciting cricket combined with pathetic pitches and grounds.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Yes but they could also just refuse to bid for the rights for the series as broadcasters may feel that, no matter how cheap, they will not generate any revenue and therefore it's not worth it from an investment perspective.

Ultimately, this whole episode seems to be a reflection of the general decline of test cricket, but, more specifically, the decline of test cricket in Pakistan with a shambolic team that has no real strategy/fails to play exciting cricket combined with pathetic pitches and grounds.

Having said that, in hindsight, one can argue that the decline of test cricket in Pakistan already begun 2 decades ago and these are the dying gasps. I certainly hope not but the future looks bleak.

 

[gazza619]

Thank you Naqvi and now Waqar Younis.

Have such guys in charge and you are doomed.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Yes but they could also just refuse to bid for the rights for the series as broadcasters may feel that, no matter how cheap, they will not generate any revenue and therefore it's not worth it from an investment perspective.

Ultimately, this whole episode seems to be a reflection of the general decline of test cricket, but, more specifically, the decline of test cricket in Pakistan with a shambolic team that has no real strategy/fails to play exciting cricket combined with pathetic pitches and grounds.

England have no money. They’re living on legacy when in actual they’re just living a life of udhaari. I would advise BCCI to read with caution with them. No need to give them easy money just like that. Make them grove for a test series opportunity with us.

 

[NishanKonar]

England have no money. They’re living on legacy when in actual they’re just living a life of udhaari. I would advise BCCI to read with caution with them. No need to give them easy money just like that. Make them grove for a test series opportunity with us.

Naah. England cricket has plenty of money. Its just that their cricket fans don't really bother about overseas series except for Ashes. Same with Australian fans

 

[Omer2002]

what's going to happen in 2 days? wicket is going to break and turn? Pakistan is playing 0 spinners. It's a draw.

No its not a draw i said b4 test started we shall lose and i think we probably will

 

[gibsyhesperis]

England have no money. They’re living on legacy when in actual they’re just living a life of udhaari. I would advise BCCI to read with caution with them. No need to give them easy money just like that. Make them grove for a test series opportunity with us.

To be fair the British broadcasters have an awful lot of money.
Sky TV and TNT Sports (both possible “homes” for broadcast of an English foreign tour) last year signed a £6.7 billion deal to broadcast the Premier League in the U.K. for four years from 2025.

There is a lot of money sloshing around, but it is not going to be spent on cricket broadcasts from abroad, apart from obviously Australia and perhaps India.

Not sure a tour of Pakistan is going o get English cricket fans out of bed….

 

[Bhaijaan]

To be fair the British broadcasters have an awful lot of money.
Sky TV and TNT Sports (both possible “homes” for broadcast of an English foreign tour) last year signed a £6.7 billion deal to broadcast the Premier League in the U.K. for four years from 2025.

There is a lot of money sloshing around, but it is not going to be spent on cricket broadcasts from abroad, apart from obviously Australia and perhaps India.

Not sure a tour of Pakistan is going o get English cricket fans out of bed….

Lame excuses.
PCB is asking for very small amount of money which is already a pity and British can’t even afford that. They better not waste our time then. As a Bharatiya I am somewhat concerned what sort of broke people we are dealing with. The British cannot be trusted anymore when it comes to money.

 

[U$ofA]

Naah. England cricket has plenty of money. Its just that their cricket fans don't really bother about overseas series except for Ashes. Same with Australian fans

Another reason why test cricket is dead. Just supporting your home season is not good enough. A very constricted way of thinking on their part. Hastened the death the tests.

 

[uppercut]

BUMP

Any update on this?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

BUMP

Any update on this?

Check out the updates and details in the following thread

England tour of Pakistan (2024) - Broadcast Thread

Pakistan's cricket board is facing a problem. They can't find a TV partner to broadcast their matches against England, starting October 7. Usually, Sky Sports shows Pakistan's cricket matches in the UK, but they're not interested this time. Now, Pakistan's cricket board might have to sell the...

ppforum.pakpassion.net

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Sky Sports agree cut-price last-minute deal to save England clash from TV blackout

ENGLAND'S upcoming Test series against Pakistan is set to be shown by Sky Sports, reports suggest.

The series, due to start on October 7, had failed to find a home on television.

However, The Times are now reporting that Sky Sports are set to secure a late deal to shown the games and prevent a TV blackout.

Sky Sports have been in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to ensure the three-match series will be accessible to viewers in England.

It's understood a deal has been struck after the PCB lowered the rights fee for the series.

Sky then managed to reach an agreement, with the deal set to be announced in the coming days.

The BBC is also expected to announce a deal of its own.

They have reportedly secured a deal to ensure that Test Match Special can broadcast all three games.

The first Test will be held in Multan from October 7-11.

The second Test will remain in the same location as part of a revised plan from October 15-19.

The third Test will then be held in Rawalpindi from October 24-28.

ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould said: "We're really excited to be returning to Pakistan for this three-match men's Test tour in October.

"Our last men's Test tour of Pakistan produced some memorable matches and I'm sure fans can look forward to more exciting cricket across this forthcoming series."

The Test squad departs on Tuesday, just days after a damp one-day series defeat to Australia.

SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/30777268/sky-sports-agree-deal-show-
england-pakistan-cricket-test/

 

[Bouncer]

Any idea how much pcb was asking and how much sky eventually agreed to pay?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Another reason why test cricket is dead. Just supporting your home season is not good enough. A very constricted way of thinking on their part. Hastened the death the tests.

This. You can't just care about your home season but problem is most boards just do and that's terrible for Test cricket.

It's dying anyway but this is just sending it faster to the crematorium.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Any idea how much pcb was asking and how much sky eventually agreed to pay?

100K for 2 years + a box of yaadgars gulab jaman.

 

[NishanKonar]

This. You can't just care about your home season but problem is most boards just do and that's terrible for Test cricket.

It's dying anyway but this is just sending it faster to the crematorium.

That's how sport works in most countries. Do u think England football fans care about La Liga beyond Real Madrid / Barca . Do u think they care about Bundesliga ?

We Indians care about every match bcoz our sports culture is non existent beyond cricket. So we watch cricket wherever its played - including when our C team tours Zimbabwe 1 week after a T20 WC win

Problem with countries like Pakistan / Sri Lanka / West Indies is even their home fans have stopped bothering about test cricket. Why wud England broadcasters pay for a test series which will be played on dead pitches in front of near empty stands

 

[Nikhil_cric]

That's how sport works in most countries. Do u think England football fans care about La Liga beyond Real Madrid / Barca . Do u think they care about Bundesliga ?

We Indians care about every match bcoz our sports culture is non existent beyond cricket. So we watch cricket wherever its played - including when our C team tours Zimbabwe 1 week after a T20 WC win

Problem with countries like Pakistan / Sri Lanka / West Indies is even their home fans have stopped bothering about test cricket. Why wud England broadcasters pay for a test series which will be played on dead pitches in front of near empty stands

I know. Which is why those thinking that Test cricket will survive on its own are being very naive.

It's one thing for Nasser and Athers to talk about Test match funds and what not but there's no viable solution at all.

Cricket South Africa chief stated they would spend the same amount for marketing each format and found that the response for Tests was absolutely shambolic compared to ODIs and T20Is.

It's a fundamentally unsound product which will increasingly need more investment with declining returns .

On its own , it's going the way of the dodo and nothing can stop that.

 

[NishanKonar]

I know. Which is why those thinking that Test cricket will survive on its own are being very naive.

It's one thing for Nasser and Athers to talk about Test match funds and what not but there's no viable solution at all.

Cricket South Africa chief stated they would spend the same amount for marketing each format and found that the response for Tests was absolutely shambolic compared to ODIs and T20Is.

It's a fundamentally unsound product which will increasingly need more investment with declining returns .

On its own , it's going the way of the dodo and nothing can stop that.

Ideally let cricket go the rugby way. Allow every nation to choose its popular format and play as much as it wants

Like Rugby league is more popular in Australia than rugby union. Let them play rugby league

Same way why force countries like Pakistan / Sri Lanka / West Indies to play test cricket. Let them play T20s & ODIs

That's actually the most viable solution for cricket !