The England and Wales Cricket Board renewed its highlights rights deal with UK commercial broadcaster Channel 5 for home international Test cricket, from 2014 to the summer of 2017.
The deal with Channel 5 follows the ECB’s deal with pay-television broadcaster BSkyB for the same period.
Channel 5 will continue to broadcast its Test cricket highlights programme in the early evening slot, allowing fans to catch up on the day’s play shortly after the action concludes.
ECB chief executive David Collier confirmed that the BBC did not bid for the highlights rights, saying that scheduling issues, as well as the BBC’s financial constraints, precluded the public-service broadcaster from bidding.
Collier added: “The ECB strongly values its relationship with Channel 5 and we welcome their ongoing commitment to cricket. Their evening highlights programme provides an excellent snapshot of the day’s play in each Test match and we are delighted that it will continue in an early evening slot which suits viewing patterns for families and younger viewers.”
Jeff Ford, Channel 5’s director of programming, said: “Channel 5 has been associated with English cricket for over six years, providing new and established fans with the very best in cricket highlights from Test matches and more. We’re delighted to continue our association with the ECB for another four years and to firmly cement our position as the terrestrial home of English cricket.”
Under UK listed-events legislation, highlights or delayed coverage of Test cricket played in England must be shown on free-to-air television.
Channel 5 has shown the home England Test matches since 2006. In its current highlights deal, from 2010 to 2013, Channel 5 pays £1 million (€1.19 million/$1.56 million) per year.