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Negotiations continue in tense Cricket deal

Nine & TEN have reportedly upped bid to $900m whilst FOX Sports is continuing discussions.

Nine and TEN have upped their bid for Cricket broadcasting, while FOX Sports, which took an offer off the table on Friday, is reportedly back in discussions.

FOX Sports is believed to be interested in a partnership with Seven, which is effectively seeking a replacement for the Australian Open is loses to Nine after next year.

Tensions surround the negotiations which have seen Cricket Australia’s chairman apologise to TEN for referring to them as “bottom feeders” whilst Foxtel director of sports Peter Campbell also hung up on Cricket Australia’s negotiating team on Friday.

The new bid, understood to be valued around $150 million annually, or $900 million over the six years of the deal, would see TEN retain the Big Bash League while Nine would keep the Test matches. But International Twenty20 and 50 over matches would switch from Nine to TEN under the new offer.

It is understood Nine has kept its original bid for Test matches, which was an increase on the previous deal.

Cricket Australia has been keen to split up the Nine / TEN joint offer. Sources said Cricket Australia has not engaged in a meaningful way with Nine and TEN at this stage despite the improved offer, which was made on Thursday. However, they noted things could ramp up this week and a deal could be done quickly.

Speculation suggests TEN resubmitted an offer to Cricket Australia on Thursday worth up to $150 million a year, including advertising. Seven boss Tim Worner recently resubmitted a bid, rumoured to have re-cut a bid after discussions with News Corp. Seven is said to be keen, but not at any price.

A FOX Sports spokesperson has confirmed, “FOX Sports withdrew from negotiations with Cricket Australia on Friday morning due to a lack of material progress over the preceding week.

“FOX Sports has continued discussions with Cricket Australia over the weekend, however there has been no reengagement of negotiations.”

Source: The Age, Australian Financial Review

6 Responses

  1. Network TEN would also be looking at the digital rights too as would Nine Network/ Wide World of Sports. Nine have the streaming rights to there three games. Nine have also acquired all rights to Australian Open Series. Seven would want to do the same as they did with Tennis, Olympics and Commgames, across all platforms so they can get the most out of it, however it will cost them. My prediction is Networks will in the end get exclusive rights to certain games, with finals shared/simulcast, digital rights for those bigger matches finals etc will probably be kept in house. It also looks like Optus has walked away from CA and is just focusing on International Football i.e. World Cups and Champions League last i read. In this day and age Exclusivity is going to be the name of the game. I do like Seven’s strategy the best covering both streaming and Tv platforms.

  2. I’m surprised CBS hasn’t helped Ten even more by trying to get the lot.
    I suppose even them have been careful with their money now because of the insult and the scandal.

  3. Foxtel seem to get what they want, it’s now or never for them in regards to cricket. They’re cash loaded too, paid over $1b for the AFL and similar for NRL last time. Why Seven? Could they not choose any FTA network if the “simulcast” deal is indeed correct?

  4. No mention where the FTA’s are going to put the cricket,hopefully it not on a multi channel in SD CA should insists it will be on their main HD channel?

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