ICC and BBC Forge Strategic Audio Rights Partnership for 2024-2027
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has proudly announced a strategic partnership with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as its audio rights partner for the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. This partnership, spanning from 2024 to 2027, will also see the BBC producing the Audio World Feed, ensuring cricket enthusiasts worldwide have access to top-notch, live commentary and coverage of every major ICC event.
With the BBC on board, fans globally can tune into the action via the ICC’s digital platforms, starting with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opening match between USA and Canada on 1 June. This partnership underlines the ICC’s commitment to enhancing the accessibility and reach of cricket to its diverse and passionate fan base.
In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, the BBC will utilize its extensive broadcasting platforms, including BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC 5 Sports Extra, to deliver comprehensive coverage of ICC events. Additionally, the commentary and live audio feed will be accessible digitally via bbc.co.uk and the BBC Sounds App, allowing fans to follow the game wherever they are.
The BBC’s cricket coverage has been unparalleled, with ICC men’s and women’s events covered since the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1973 through to the Men’s Cricket World Cup in India last year.
This partnership will encompass all ICC senior men’s and women’s events, including the semi-finals and finals of the men’s and women’s U19 World Cups from 2024 until 2027.
Beyond the live feed, the BBC will also produce Audio Podcasts reviewing every senior men’s event since 1975 and each senior women’s event since 2012. These include all ICC Cricket World Cups, ICC Champions Trophies, ICC T20 World Cups, and the ICC World Test Championship Finals. These podcasts will be available in the UK on the BBC and globally on the ICC audio player.
Statements from ICC and BBC Executives
ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice, expressed his delight at the partnership, saying: “We are thrilled to partner with the BBC, an organisation renowned for its rich history in sports broadcasting. This collaboration will significantly elevate the audio experience for cricket fans, providing unparalleled access to ICC events over the next four years through the ICC’s digital platforms.”
Adam Mountford, BBC Head of Cricket, also shared his excitement: “It’s great news that we’ve extended our audio rights partnership with the ICC for another four years. We know from our 50+ years of broadcasting Men’s and Women’s world tournaments that these are events that really resonate with audiences. It’s brilliant that our new deal begins with England’s defence of their Men’s T20 World Cup title. Along with our partnerships with the England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket Australia and other organisations around the world, we have an amazing portfolio of live cricket for listeners to enjoy.”