Proposed new English franchise tournament

This was the quote I remembered that was fractionally more optimistic.

Try million rather than k

Firstly hats off to the ecb this is a brilliant deal for cricket

But please let's not pretend this is all because of the new T20 competition.

An article by Charles Sale in the Daily Mail offers more information on the latest SKY deal.

Originally, BTSport were reluctant to bid as they believed "a done deal" was already in place for SKY. But the ECB persuaded the Company that their offer would be considered as seriously as SKYs. Obviously, to gain the mega-bucks, BTSport had to participate in the bidding, otherwise, Graves and Co would end up with egg on their face.

Sale says BTSport made an offer of £175m a year which was the leverage required to then poke SKY to a higher one with the possibility that BTSport might then outbid them. So, this bid from BTSport was the key to the deal's success. SKY then upped the stakes by around another £35m a year much to the delight of the ECB but to the disappointment of BTSport after previously securing the TV rights for this Winter's Ashes.

Thank you BTSport for being the SKY cattle-prod.

Meanwhile, it does seem a definite "done deal" was offering the terrestrial TV rights to the BBC. While ITV showed no interest in bidding, both Channel 4 and 5 did; but many see the £13m a year BBC successfully bid for over 100 hours of coverage as "cut-price" and "a bargain". Their deal includes two live England Men's home T20s; 10 matches live from the new CBT including THE FINAL (that's amazing!); as well as prime-time highlights of all England Tests, ODIs and T20s. The BBC must be laughing all the way to Lord's. Meanwhile, both parties also have access to digital clips across cricket plus a range of rights for the Women's game. The BBC also extended their audio rights contract for the ball-by-ball TMS for the same period and are believed to to have seen off a major challenge from talkSPORT for Cricket Australia's Ashes rights for the next two series Down Under.

But, there is still one major hurdle to climb and that is the ECB deciding on the all important CBT format. For example, where will the teams be located; at what grounds could the matches be played etc.. It has been decided that the two rights partners, SKY and the BBC, will play a major role over such decisions.

There is no question that without the creation of the CBT, the £1.1bn secured would have been pie in the sky. Wisden Editor, Lawrence Booth, writes, "Harrison and Graves have pulled off quite a coup, simultaneously securing the game's financial future, while acknowledging that the need for terrestrial coverage had become a no-brainer. The return of the BBC is a cause for celebration."

I beg to disagree.   I understand that the rivalry between BTSport and SKY helped fuel the bidding but without the CBT,  the ECB
would not have gained £1.1bn. Certainly, more than the previous £75m a year. Agreed. Perhaps, £500m-£600m over 5 years?

fred,

I agree. I may do some research to see if the ECB have published a figure on the worth of the CBT to the media. It would be
interesting to find out. As you say, until then, it is speculation.

edit: Some quick research shows a few reports suggesting the CBT is worth between £30m and £35m a year for media
rights whilst others are higher at £40m. Although, this is pure speculation. Therefore, up to £200m over 5 years. Less than
I speculated.

Perhaps, the ECB may do a break down of media value of the different formats SKY successfully bid on at a later stage.

www.sportcal.com/Insight/Features/111352