Damon Mcknight
Cricket is Australia's national sport, and for many years, it has been available to watch on free-to-air television. However, in recent times, there has been a shift towards pay-TV services, with networks like Foxtel acquiring the broadcasting rights to popular cricket events. This has caused some controversy, with many Australian households missing out on watching their favourite sport due to not having a subscription. Despite this, free-to-air channels like Channel 7 have continued to broadcast some cricket matches, and there is hope that more free cricket could be returning to TV.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Free-to-air TV channels | Seven Network, 7Plus, 7mate, 7Plus Sport |
| Pay-TV channels | Foxtel, Fox Sports, Fox Cricket |
| Streaming services | Kayo, Kayo Sports, 7Plus, cricket.com.au, Cricket Australia Live app, JioTV, Hotstar, ESPN, ESPN2, BBC Radio 5, Discovery+ Entertainment & Sport Prime Video Channel |
| Free streaming services | 7Plus, cricket.com.au, Cricket Australia Live app, 9now, Eurosport 1, Eurosport 2 |
| Free-to-air rights | Australia's tour of Sri Lanka, WBBL, BBL, Women's Ashes Series, Women's Ashes ODI, Warne-Muralitharan Trophy series, ODIs, Tests |
| Pay-TV rights | International one day and 20-over matches, some Big Bash matches, exclusive digital rights |
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What You'll Learn
Cricket Australia's deal with Foxtel and Seven Network
In 2018, Cricket Australia (CA) signed a six-year deal with the Seven Network and Foxtel for the TV rights to all forms of men's and women's cricket. The deal was worth $1.18 billion, with Seven paying $75 million and Foxtel paying $100 million. This was the first time in 40 years that the Nine Network lost the cricket rights.
The deal gave Foxtel the exclusive rights to international one-day and 20-over matches, as well as some Big Bash matches and exclusive digital rights. Foxtel also simulcasts all Tests with Seven. The Seven Network is the free-to-air partner of Test cricket played in Australia and also broadcasts the women's cricket team's international fixtures.
In 2023, CA extended its broadcast deal with Seven West Media and Foxtel until the end of the decade. The new seven-year deal is worth $1.5 billion, with Seven paying around $65 million in cash per year. This deal includes the rights to stream matches on Seven Plus.
The deal between CA, Foxtel, and Seven has been criticised for taking cricket off free-to-air TV and reducing the number of networks CA could negotiate with. However, CA has defended the deal, calling it an important commercial outcome for Australian cricket and a "reset" of the relationship with Seven.
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The availability of free live streams
However, there are still some options for fans to watch Australian cricket without a subscription. Channel 7 or Seven Network is a free-to-air partner of Test cricket played in Australia and has also secured the rights to broadcast other events, such as Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 2025. Their streaming service, 7Plus, also offers live streaming of some cricket events.
Other free live streaming options include the Cricket Australia Live app, which streamed 35 matches of the 2023/24 WBBL competition for free. Additionally, fans can use the JioTV app to stream live cricket matches by logging in with their Jio account credentials.
For those in the UK, Test Match Special and BBC Radio 5 offer comprehensive coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup, providing an alternative to TV streaming.
While free live streaming options are available, they may be limited and vary depending on the specific event and broadcasting rights. Some sources have criticised the move away from free-to-air TV, arguing that sports like cricket should be accessible to all Australians without requiring a subscription or paid service.
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The impact of streaming services on free-to-air cricket
Cricket fans have long debated the merits of free-to-air versus paid streaming services. While streaming services have revolutionized the way we consume media, including cricket, traditional free-to-air television still plays a crucial role in broadcasting the sport. The impact of streaming services on free-to-air cricket is a complex issue that has sparked discussions among fans, broadcasters, and industry regulators.
In recent years, streaming services have posed a significant challenge to free-to-air cricket broadcasting. With the rise of digital consumption, streaming platforms have aggressively pursued sporting deals to attract subscribers. This shift in media consumption habits has led to a decline in traditional television viewership, including for cricket. As a result, cricket boards and broadcasters have had to grapple with the financial implications of this transition.
Streaming services often provide exclusive content behind a paywall, requiring fans to purchase subscriptions to access live matches. While this model generates substantial revenue for cricket boards and streaming providers, it reduces the sport's accessibility for fans. Free-to-air television, on the other hand, ensures that cricket reaches a broader audience, including casual viewers who may not be willing to pay for a streaming service.
Despite the popularity of streaming services, free-to-air cricket broadcasting remains vital for the sport's long-term sustainability. By reaching a wider audience, free-to-air television helps to grow the sport's fan base and engage casual viewers. Additionally, free streaming services have emerged as a compromise, providing cricket fans with alternative ways to access live matches without a traditional television broadcast. However, these services primarily cater to existing cricket enthusiasts rather than attracting new fans to the sport.
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Anti-siphoning laws and their enforcement
Anti-siphoning laws in Australia aim to ensure that events of national importance and cultural significance are freely available to audiences via free-to-air television. The scheme, established under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, prevents subscription broadcasters and, more recently, streaming services from acquiring exclusive rights to televise events on the anti-siphoning list. This list, determined by the Minister for Communications, includes sporting events such as cricket, the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, AFL, rugby league, tennis, and the Melbourne Cup. The list is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the evolving media landscape and ensure that free-to-air broadcasters have a reasonable opportunity to purchase the rights.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the discoverability of free-to-air networks and streaming services on smart televisions. The Australian Parliament passed the Communications Legislation Amendment (Prominence and Anti-siphoning) Bill in July 2024, addressing this issue. The new law requires new smart television devices to provide easy access to free-to-air networks and their streaming apps, ensuring that Australians can find and access these services without difficulty. This law only applies to brand new TV sets, which has been a point of contention for some.
The anti-siphoning scheme has undergone periodic reviews to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. A review was conducted in late 2022, leading to an interim list for 2023. The Albanese Government committed to a more comprehensive review in the context of the 2022 Federal Election, resulting in proposed reforms introduced in 2023. These reforms aimed to extend the scheme's reach to regulate online streaming services and address concerns about the accessibility of sporting events on digital platforms. The Greens, however, identified a potential loophole that could allow streaming rights to be acquired by paywall services, potentially limiting access for many Australians.
The anti-siphoning list is subject to periodic amendments to include additional events of national significance. For example, in September 2023, the Minister amended the list to include selected FIFA Women's World Cup matches involving the Australian team, reflecting the importance of promoting gender equality in sports. The anti-siphoning scheme is a dynamic process that adapts to the changing media landscape, ensuring that Australians have free access to significant cultural and sporting events through free-to-air television and, more recently, recognised streaming services.
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The future of free-to-air cricket in Australia
However, there have been recent developments that indicate a potential shift towards more free-to-air cricket. In 2025, Seven secured the rights to broadcast Australia's tour of Sri Lanka, marking the first time a subcontinental Test series will be shown live on free-to-air TV in Australia. This move has been applauded by cricket fans and players alike, with Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc expressing his enthusiasm for the increased accessibility.
The shift towards free-to-air cricket may be influenced by changes in the broadcasting landscape. Foxtel, the previous primary broadcaster of Australian cricket, has faced financial challenges and shifted its focus to domestic matches. Meanwhile, streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and Kayo Sports have entered the market, providing additional options for viewers.
Despite these positive signs, the future of free-to-air cricket in Australia is still uncertain. The Albanese Government's Prominence and Anti-siphoning Bill has been criticised for failing to guarantee that sports, including cricket, will remain accessible to all Australians without a paid subscription.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, the availability of free-to-air cricket may depend on a combination of factors, including broadcasting rights, commercial interests, and government regulations. While some matches may remain exclusive to subscription-based platforms, there is a growing recognition of the importance of keeping sports accessible to a wide audience.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian cricket is available on free-to-air TV on Channel 7 and 7Plus. However, it was reported in 2018 that Foxtel and Channel 7 had exclusive broadcasting rights, preventing seven in ten households from watching a one-day international cricket match between Australia and South Africa.
Cricket fans can watch Australian cricket without a subscription by using the JioTV app, the Hotstar app, or by streaming on 7Plus.
Fans can sign up for a subscription to watch Australian cricket on Kayo Sports, Foxtel, ESPN, Eurosport, and Amazon Prime.
