THE BBC could LOSE a cricket radio show Test Match Special as part of a major broadcasting change.
The home international broadcast is a favourite among fans keen to keep up with efforts on the wicket.
The BBC could lose Test Match Special Credit: Getty
More radio broadcasters could cover England’s home internationals Credit: Getty
The have an exclusive grip on summer Test matches over the radio waves.
The broadcaster has multiple deals with the England and Wales Board, which run until 2028.
This includes the radio rights for all men’s and women’s home internationals.
It can also produce digital highlight clips and a daily TV highlights package.
But the ECB are now considering inviting other broadcasters such as talkSPORT to share the rights, according to the Telegraph .
The cricket board is planning to go to market in 2027 to confirm its RV and radio broadcast rights from 2029 onwards.
It will likely be a four-year deal, with the radio rights scene far more competitive than for the TV.
Sky Sports dominates cricket in the UK and talkSPORT is expected to mount a serious challenge.
England's summer fixtures
England v New Zealand
- June 4 – Lord’s, London: 1st Rothesay Test
- June 17 – The Kia Oval, London: 2nd Rothesay Test
- June 25 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham: 3rd Rothesay Test
England v India
- July 1 – Banks Homes Riverside, Durham: 1st Vitality IT20
- July 4 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester: 2nd Vitality IT20
- July 7 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham: 3rd Vitality IT2
- July 9 – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol: 4th Vitality IT20
- July 11 – Utilita Bowl, Southampton: 5th Vitality IT20
- July 14 – Edgbaston, Birmingham: 1st Metro Bank ODI
- July 16 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff: 2nd Metro Bank ODI
- July 19 – Lord’s, London: 3rd Metro Bank ODI
England v Pakistan
- August 19 – Headingley, Leeds: 1st Rothesay Test
- August 27 – Lord’s, London: 2nd Rothesay Test
- September 9 – Edgbaston, Birmingham: 3rd Rothesay Test
England v Sri Lanka
- September 15 – Utilita Bowl, Southampton: 1st Vitality IT20
- September 17 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff: 2nd Vitality IT20
- September 19 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester: 3rd Vitality IT20
- September 22 – Banks Homes Riverside, Durham: 1st Metro Bank ODI
- September 24 – Headingley, Leeds: 2nd Metro Bank ODI
- September 27 – The Kia Oval, London: 3rd Metro Bank ODI
The broadcaster has covered England’s overseas tours for almost a decade.
They would be the favourite to take Test Match Special if dropped in the BBC’s cutbacks ahead of this year’s tour of South Africa.
This means that the show would disappear from the BBC coverage.
A senior ECB official has insisted that it would give them the “opportunity to be a lot more creative”.
They also admitted that it could be the “best way of maximising reach and value of rights”.
The BBC may have to pay less should they lose the exclusivity but the ECB would make it back from the new broadcaster’s fee.
England are set to start their Test summer TODAY as they face New Zealand in the 1st Rothesay Test at Lord.
‘ side also host Pakistan for a three-Test series in August which will be played at Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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