Sky Sports has inked a long-term partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which will see the British subscription sports channels network broadcast all ICC World Cup matches in the UK and Ireland till 2031. The eight-year partnership, which sees Sky retain the ICC broadcast and digital rights for both the men’s and women’s events, will get underway from 2024.
The ICC has recently seen record viewership in the UK, with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 having recorded a stunning 8.8 million viewers, which is the highest-ever UK television viewership number.
Geoff Allardice, Chief Executive, ICC, commented:
“We are delighted to partner with Sky Sports until 2031 as the home of ICC cricket in the UK and Ireland. For the first time, the partnership will be a direct relationship with Sky Sports which gives us some exciting opportunities for innovative collaborations.I am confident this partnership can support our long-term ambition to attract more players and more fans to the game.“
Jonathan Licht, managing director, Sky Sports, said:
“With more people watching cricket at the highest level after England men’s and women’s successes in 2017, 2019 and 2022, our award-winning coverage strives to give cricket fans the complete experience, with all the action both on and off the pitch. This new direct partnership with the ICC means that Sky Sports viewers in the UK & Ireland can continue to enjoy every ball, run, wicket and catch from every international tournament for many years to come, and we’re all hugely excited to see what’s in store.“
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