Australia’s World Test Championship and ODI World Cup to be Exclusively Shown on Amazon Prime Video
Cricket fans in Australia will now be able to catch all the action of Australia’s World Test Championship and ODI World Cup defences exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The streaming platform has secured the broadcast rights for all men’s and women’s International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments in the country.
No More Free-to-Air Coverage
Previously, Foxtel/Kayo broadcasted the entire recent ODI World Cup, while the Nine Network screened Australia’s games and a few others. However, with this new deal, there will be no free-to-air element, meaning fans will need an Amazon Prime Video subscription to watch these tournaments.
Changes in Broadcasting Rights
While men’s home Tests and all women’s internationals will continue to be available on free-to-air with Seven, men’s white-ball internationals will now be broadcasted on Foxtel. Additionally, the Nine Network will show the men’s away Ashes series in 2027 and 2031.
Government’s Commitment to Sport Anti-Siphoning Measures
This announcement comes shortly after the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to sport anti-siphoning measures. Communications minister Michelle Rowland introduced laws that would require free-to-air services to be offered first refusal for important sporting events, ensuring that all Australians have the opportunity to enjoy free TV coverage of iconic sporting events.
ICC Welcomes Partnership with Amazon
Geoff Allardice, the ICC boss, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Amazon. He stated, “We are very excited to be entering a new four-year partnership with Prime Video for ICC cricket rights in Australia. The recently concluded men’s World Cup has highlighted the interest and passion for ICC events across the globe, and especially in Australia where cricket fans have enjoyed the recent success of their men’s and women’s teams. We look forward to working with Prime Video Australia to provide innovative coverage of world-class cricket to more fans in Australia.”
Upcoming Tournaments and Documentary
The new partnership between the ICC and Amazon will kick off in January with the men’s Under-19 World Cup, followed by the men’s T20 World Cup in West Indies and the USA. Later in the year, Australia’s women will participate in their T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. Additionally, Amazon has confirmed the release of a third season of the popular Test documentary in 2024, covering this year’s Ashes series in England.
Quote from Hushidar Kharas, Head of Prime Video Australia and New Zealand
“As a cricket fan, I couldn’t wait to see what happened when the unstoppable force of ‘BazBall’ batting came up against the best test bowling lineup in the world. The 2023 Ashes were the most closely contested and memorable of recent times, and I am delighted to be able to relive them along with our customers in Australia and around the world,” said Hushidar Kharas, head of Prime Video Australia and New Zealand.
Conclusion
With Amazon Prime Video securing exclusive broadcast rights for Australia’s World Test Championship and ODI World Cup defences, cricket enthusiasts in the country can look forward to enjoying these tournaments on the streaming platform. While this means no more free-to-air coverage, the partnership aims to provide innovative coverage of world-class cricket to fans across Australia.
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
