Australian cricket fans are facing a blackout of the forthcoming 2016 World Twenty20 because all local broadcasters have rejected the opportunity to acquire rights for the national team cricket tournament.
The World Twenty20 is being hosted in India from March 16 to April 6, but Australian newspaper The Age said commercial broadcasters Nine, Seven and Ten, along with pay-television broadcaster Fox Sports, have passed on the opportunity to acquire rights.
The inclusion of the tournament on Australia’s anti-siphoning list, which prioritises free-to-air coverage of major events, has made no difference as those rules do not oblige commercial broadcasters to buy the rights.
The Age added that the main stumbling block to a deal is believed to be the price being sought by the International Cricket Council’s global broadcast partner, pan-Asian pay-television broadcaster Star Sports. It said New Zealand is also facing a similar blackout situation due to an impasse in talks.
Nine and Fox had held the Australian rights to all major ICC tournaments, including the World Twenty20, but that contract ended after last year’s World Cup, which was hosted by Australia and New Zealand.