ABC Radio has announced a new five year broadcast agreement with Cricket Australia. Under the new deal ABC Radio will broadcast all tests matches, international ODIs and T20s games for men’s and women’s cricket across a mix of analogue and digital radio in Australia.
Kate Dundas, Director ABC Radio, said the new agreement brings its own challenges, but she is confident the pillars of cricket on the ABC, built up over a long period of time, will continue to resonate with listeners: “ABC Grandstand’s cricket commentary is the sound of summer,” she said. “No other broadcaster can boast the history, tradition or the close ties to Australian cricket developed over 83 years. Switching on ABC Radio during summer is intrinsically linked to the psyche of cricket lovers in Australia.”
Starting with the first Ashes Test, ABC Radio will broadcast live, commercial free commentary on all 61 ABC Local Radio stations and ABC Grandstand Digital Radio in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, as the Australian men’s team fights to win back the Ashes.
Audiences will hear familiar voices and from the Grandstand team, lead by Jim Maxwell, who celebrates his 40th year at the ABC and guest experts, including Kerry O’Keefe.
This summer ABC Grandstand will also be the home of International Women’s Cricket, as Australia take on England for the women’s Ashes. Commentary and reports will be broadcast live on ABC Grandstand Digital Radio.
Under the new agreement, ABC Radio will also broadcast live coverage of the domestic finals for Sheffield Shield, One Day Cup, BBL and the Women’s Domestic T20.
Ben Amarfio, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Media, Communications & Marketing said: “We appreciate that there’s been a lot of public interest throughout the negotiation process, which goes to show just how passionate Australians are about cricket and the overall coverage of the game. We are very pleased to be extending Australian cricket’s long association with ABC Radio which for so many people across the country is the ultimate sound of summer. ABC Radio’s high-quality ball-by-ball coverage will continue taking the game to millions, playing an important role in our ongoing efforts to make cricket Australia’s favourite team sport. We are particularly pleased that the ABC will be broadcasting women’s cricket, helping promote the talents of our leading female players to audiences across Australia. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership.”
ABC Radio was unable to secure the online streaming rights, which were retained by Cricket Australia.