England vs Pakistan Test series in Doubt as UK Broadcasters Uninterested
The England vs Pakistan Test series in October 2024 is “unlikely” to be shown on UK television because no major broadcaster has confirmed an interest, according to a BBC report. Reports of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) putting broadcasting rights up for tender emerged last month, with no UK broadcasters having come forward to bid as yet.
But the PCB’s attempts to find a broadcaster that could show all three matches of England’s series, which begins on October 7 in Multan, have so far fell flat with leading UK broadcasters Sky Sports and TNT Sport reluctant to step up. Sky Sports, who covered England’s last Test tour of Pakistan in December 2022 are said to have told PCB they won’t be bidding for this year series. Meanwhile, TNT Sport have decided to pull out of negotiations as well and will not broadcast the games.
The PCB did some out of the box thinking by giving selling overseas rights to a local marketing agency, rather than signing up with international giants IMG or Pitch International who usually manage these impromptu cricket tours. This is an example of the types of issues that production companies face not only with regional broadcasters, but also in trying to get international broadcasters on board.
In recent years, Sky Sports has increasingly been scaling back its investment in covering England’s overseas Test series. The broadcaster is looking to secure more deals like exclusive rights for England`s home series and major global events Original Image: The journalist said the channel would be seeking further alliances on lines of having the sole right holder status in terms of national duty as well as a big event: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 where Pakistan will play host next year. Sky Sports has expensive overseas rights to pay for and, ever since it slashed its coverage of county cricket in order to cut costs (whilst discovering the excitement around T20), it is only really worth them sending their cameras away when a whole team could be on hand there at any single time doing commentary.
Warner Bros. -owned TV channel TNT Sport has also axed its sports coverage, having recently lost deals for European rugby tournaments. UK cricket fans may be the biggest losers from broadcaster’s lack of interest in England vs Pakistan Test series
It typifies the battle to keep Test cricket bums on seats, especially in a world brimming with shorter formats and sports competing for attention.