The new deal, which includes coverage via mobile and online platforms as well as television, will run from the start of 2014 until the end of the summer in 2017. Under the terms of the agreement, Sky has an option to extend the partnership by a further two years to cover tours by India in 2018 and Australia in 2019. Sky’s existing deal was due to expire at the end of 2013.
The basic four-year deal includes England’s home Test series against India in 2014, Australia in 2015, Pakistan in 2016 and South Africa in 2017 as well as at least 60 days of domestic cricket each summer covering each of the major competitions. As well as all England one-day internationals and Twenty20 clashes, the rights include some England Lions youth and women’s matches.
“This is good news for cricket and good news for viewers,” Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said. “Our viewers will enjoy a breadth of live coverage, at domestic and international level, and the ECB extends a partnership that has proved good for the game. Cricket is flourishing in England and Wales, with increased participation, record attendances and success for England's men and women. Through extending our partnership, the ECB can invest on and off the pitch and the game can continue to grow."
ECB chairman Giles Clarke said: “Sky Sports has raised the bar for all live television broadcasters with its innovative, informed and comprehensive coverage of cricket and we are very pleased to renew this agreement for a further four years. No-one should be in any doubt that our partnership with Sky has been of immense benefit to the wider game. World-class support structures for our successful England teams, major ground improvements at county level, a flourishing coach education programme and a five per increase in participation at our ‘focus’ clubs are all by-products of this relationship.”
Sky first showed live coverage of the England cricket team in 1990 with the tour of the Caribbean.