Nine downplays Cricket Australia court action as Ten makes ‘$500m’ bid
Channel Nine has downplayed court action by Cricket Australia against the TV network in the Supreme Court of Victoria, in a move that could signal the sport is looking to move domestic cricket to Channel Ten.
While the exact nature of the court action is confidential, sources have told Mumbrella the writ seeks to examine whether Channel Nine’s last rights contract, which gives the network the ability to see and match a rival’s bid, extends to domestic cricket and in particular the Big Bash league which was launched since the contract began.
Channel Nine managing director Jeff Browne would not be drawn on the details of the court action but told Mumbrella: “We have a 32 year relationship with Cricket Australia and I’m very confident that we will be able to resolve any issues between us sensibly and through direct discussion.”
The move comes as The Australian Financial Review reports that Channel Ten has made a $500m play for the cricket rights over five years, a price that is largely seen as unprofitable given the sport only generates around $60m per year in advertising revenue.
Wow, so Gyngell has been criticised for crippling Nine with the 500 mil WB deal. Ten have offered the same for a sport that airs in the non ratings period.
At least WB provides content throughout the year (some of it rates close to a mil per ep – higher than the average audience for the cricket over the recent summer).