Big Bash League set to be 43-match season from 2024-25

Cricket Australia announced a $1.5 billion domestic broadcast rights partnership with the Foxtel Group and Seven West Media on Tuesday (January 3). According to a new deal, the Big Bash League (BBL) from the 2024-25 season will be reduced by 18 matches, making it a 43-match season. 

Under the new agreement, the Foxtel Group will extend the telecast rights and Seven West Media will continue to live stream the matches for a further seven years. The previous deal was signed in 2018 for $1.18 billion and was supposed to run till 2024. But the recent interest from other media companies Network 10 and the Nine Network forced Cricket Australia to renew their terms with the Foxtel Group and Seven West Media.

“The quality and reach of the Foxtel Group and Seven’s cricket production is first class and the outstanding service they provide cricket fans was a strong consideration in our decision to continue with this successful partnership,” Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley said in an official statement on Tuesday.

The Seven West Media will continue to broadcast all men's Tests, all women's international matches, a minimum of 23 WBBL matches, and 33 BBL matches. Seven was involved in a legal battle with Cricket Australia over a lack of quality in BBL but with this new deal, they agreed to end their legal actions against the CA. Seven's CEO, James Warburton, thanked Cricket Australia over a new deal and said that they will continue their efforts to improve BBL.

"I'd like to thank Nick Hockley and the Cricket Australia team for their continued efforts to drive cricket and, in particular, the improvements to the BBL. We look forward to working with Cricket Australia to grow Test cricket, women's internationals and the BBL and WBBL in the years ahead," Warburton said in a statement.

The ongoing BBL season is having 61 matches with eight teams playing in the double round-robin. Perth Scorchers, the last season's champions, are leading the current table with five wins from their opening six matches. And Brisbane Heat are struggling at the bottom of the table with two wins from six games so far.