Australia’s World Test Championship & ODI World Cup matches will now be broadcasted officially on Amazon Prime Video. The online streaming platform has secured broadcast rights in Australia for all Men’s and women’s ICC tournaments.
Notably, Foxtel/Kayo broadcasted the entire recent ODI World Cup event while the Nine Network screened Australia’s games & a handful of other matches. But under this new deal, there will be no free-to-air format. Australia’s Men’s Home Test series & All Women’s Internationals are on free-to-air with Seven Network but the rights to broadcast Men’s white ball series are with Foxtel. Men’s away Ashes series in 2027 and 2031 will be shown on the Nine Network. The move comes just days after the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to sport anti-siphoning measures. Communications minister Michelle Rowland has introduced laws to parliament updating anti-siphoning measures that would require free-to-air services to be offered first refusal for crucial sporting events.
As per the new policy, all Australians regardless of where they live or what they earn are entitled to enjoy free TV Coverage of iconic sporting events. ICC Chief Geoff Allardice welcomed this new partnership with Amazon.
“We’re thrilled to announce a new four-year partnership with Prime Video for ICC cricket rights in Australia,” Allardice declared in a released statement. “The recently concluded men’s World Cup showcased the global enthusiasm for ICC events, particularly in Australia, where cricket fans have relished the recent successes of their men’s and women’s teams. Our anticipation is high as we join forces with Prime Video Australia to bring innovative coverage of world-class cricket to an even wider audience Down Under,” Allardice added to his statement.
Amazon Prime will begin the broadcast of ICC events with the New Zealand series
The New partnership will see ICC & Amazon broadcast New Zealand’s series in India which will begin with the men’s Under-19 World Cup with the first senior tournament being the men’s T20 World Cup in West Indies and the USA. Later in 2023, Australia Women will play the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh during September and October. Meanwhile, Amazon also confirmed a third season of the Test documentary which will be released in 2024 covering the Ashes 2024 series in England.
As a big cricket fan, I couldn’t wait to see what would unfold when the unstoppable ‘BazBall’ batting faced off against the world’s best test bowling lineup. The 2023 Ashes turned out to be one of the most closely fought and unforgettable series in recent memory, said Hushidar Kharas who heads Prime Video in Australia & New Zealand. He is thrilled about sharing the excitement of reliving these moments with fans, not just in Australia but all around the globe.
The first season of the Test came after the 2019 ball tampering scandal while the second season was released last year after the Men’s Ashes 2021-22 & tour of Pakistan & Sri Lanka.
Also read, SA vs IND: Proteas announced Squads for all-format Series
