NBC Sports Teams with Cricket Australia on U.S. Media Rights Agreement

By: Caryn Robbins Dec. 12, 2016

NBC Sports Group has partnered with Cricket Australia on a U.S. media rights agreement for Big Bash League Cricket, both parties announced today. Per the agreement, which begins with the 2016-17 season, NBCSN will present coverage of 10 Big Bash League cricket matches, highlighted by the BBL Semifinals and Final.

Featuring many of the best Twenty20 cricket players in the world, eight clubs from across Australia compete in the Big Bash League, including the defending BBL champion Sydney Thunder, Sydney Sixers, Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, Brisbane Heat, and the Adelaide Strikers.

The 2016 BBL regular season consists of 32 matches, which take place from December 20 until January 21, and culminates with the Big Bash League Final on January 28. NBCSN will telecast seven matches during the regular season, as well as two BBL Semifinal matches and the BBL Final.

NBCSN's coverage of the Big Bash League season begins Tuesday, December 20, at 3:30 a.m. ET, when the Sydney Thunder host the Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium in Sydney, Australia. NBCSN's 2016-17 BBL schedule also includes a re-match of the 2015 BBL Final, between the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars, on Wednesday, January 4, at 3 a.m. ET.

"NBC Sports is excited to partner with Cricket Australia to showcase this world famous league and incredibly popular international sport," said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBCSN. "Cricket is one of the most-watched sports across the globe, and the Big Bash League features many of the world's best players. We are looking forward to working with our new partners to serve cricket fans in the United States and help grow the sport across the country. NBC Sports continues to be the leader in bringing U.S. fans top-flight international sports."

"The addition of NBCSN is a watershed moment for Australian cricket in the U.S., and is the first time Australian cricket will be available to such a broad mainstream audience," said Ben Amarfio, Executive General Manager of Media, Communications & Marketing, Cricket Australia. "Not only will the 10 million plus sub-continent, Caribbean, UK, South AFRICA and Australasia diaspora throughout the U.S. be excited about cricket being so easily accessible, but Americans in general will also embrace the Big Bash League."

NBC Sports Group's agreement with Cricket Australia, for the BBL, adds to its growing and unparalleled portfolio of international sports properties, which includes the Premier League, the Open Championship, Formula One, French Open, Aviva Premiership Rugby, the America's Cup and Tour de France.