BSkyB snaps up top cricket rights

UK pay-television broadcaster BSkyB has acquired rights for top cricket properties operated by the International Cricket Council, the sport’s global governing body.

Sky struck the deal with Star, the pay-television broadcast subsidiary of media company 21st Century Fox, after Star sealed a rights agreement for eight years, from 2015 to 2023, with the ICC.

Sky’s agreement, which covers the Cricket World Cup, World Twenty20 and Champions Trophy tournaments, will run for the same eight-year period.

The deal, covering the UK and Ireland, comprises a total of 14 competitions, including the Women’s World Cup, Women’s World Twenty20 and U-19 World Cup.

The agreement includes several tournaments that will take place in England and Wales, including the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2017 Women’s World Cup.