Nine, Ten united for TV cricket bid

VENERABLE cricket broadcaster the Nine Network is understood to have joined with rejuvenated rival Ten to bid for a new five-year contract to broadcast the game.

Cricket Australia’s deadline for bids closed last night for its multimillion-dollar rights, ending months of negotiations that include finding funds to meet new player pay terms that were thrashed out in a bitter dispute in 2017.

Cricket Australia needs about $150 million annually to pay for all wages and funding promised, it is believed.

No immediate outcome is expected, with Cricket Australia aiming to announce a winner ahead of the next cricket season in October.

Last year Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said they had received more interest in the rights this round than ever before.

Seven is rumoured to be looking at a bid, but faces the dilemma of renewing its Tennis Australia deal.

Foxtel has reportedly placed a bid but if successful, it will have to share the rights with a free-to-air network. Financial analysts at UBS last year urged Nine, which has broadcast Test cricket for almost four decades, to end its long-term cricket coverage due to estimated $30-40 million yearly losses.

In 2013, Nine outbid Network Ten to broadcast international cricket for five years, forking out $450 million for the privilege, while Ten received the Big Bash League.

Under legislation, the Ashes and home Tests and one-day matches must be on free-to-air television, as must Twenty20 matches in Australia.