BBC Sport agrees new audio deal with the ECB for live cricket coverage

BBC Sport has announced an audio deal to extend live cricket coverage across BBC radio and BBC Sounds up to and including the 2028 season.

The new four-year agreement with the ECB extends the existing deal which runs to 2024 and ensures live coverage of all England’s home Tests, one-day internationals and IT20s will continue to be heard exclusively across BBC radio’s airwaves.

The agreement means the iconic Test Match Special will broadcast past its 70th Birthday having first provided full ball-by-ball commentary in 1957. TMS will also cover matches across the men’s County cricket and women’s domestic season with further analysis and news stories available on the BBC Sport website and there will be live commentary of every game from The Hundred on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds.

Barbara Slater, Director, BBC Sport, says: “We know how much listeners cherish cricket on BBC radio and especially TMS with its unique combination, of expert analysis, lively, engaging and entertaining commentary. It is part of the fabric of cricket and we are delighted this new deal ensures TMS continues its great tradition of making cricket accessible to all.”

Tony Singh, ECB Chief Commercial Officer, says: “For many people, TMS, BBC Radio and BBC Sounds will be constant companions through a thrilling summer of cricket. As well as being the only place to go for live audio commentary of The Ashes, it’s also the home of so much great coverage of men’s county and women’s domestic cricket and The Hundred. We’re delighted that we have also now agreed an extension to this winning partnership so that listeners can continue to tune in to BBC Radio and BBC Sounds for live cricket commentary for a further four years.”

Cricket on BBC radio and BBC Sounds is part of an extensive audio rights portfolio that includes live football such as Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, The Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships, Men’s Golf Majors including the Masters and The Open Championship, Formula 1, the Six Nations and the tennis Grand Slam tournaments including the Wimbledon Championships. BCS Bureau