Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley believes a recent statement from Paramount is a little disingenuous as CA celebrates the signing of a new TV rights deal.
The news was announced on the eve of the Sydney Test that incumbent broadcasters Seven and Foxtel has signed a new seven-year contract with CA valued at over $1.5 billion.
It was a bitter blow for streaming giant Paramount who is believed to have made the early running with a large bid and would have partnered with Network Ten had it secured the rights.
Speaking to SEN Test Cricket, Hockley acknowledged the process had been a tough one, but that it was a strong deal for Australian cricket.
“Absolutely thrilled, absolutely delighted. It was a hard-fought process and we couldn’t be more happy,” Hockley said of signing the contract.
“An uplift in value over the next seven years, we have further optimised the BBL moved to 43 games, 33 of which will be available on free to air… we’ve got a wonderful program coming up over that period.
“I think it gives everyone a great deal of certainty across Australian cricket, of course, these funds, they go to invest in a range of programs…
“Great continuity as well, which I think is great for fans.”
As CA announced the new deal, Paramount released a statement of its own.
A Paramount ANZ spokesperson said: “Paramount never made a formal bid for the rights and did not actively pursue the rights over recent weeks.
“We understand the interest in the most recent cricket media rights process and while Paramount considered the rights on offer and, despite reports to the contrary by various media outlets, it became clear following consistent discussions with Cricket Australia, that our objectives and views on the future presentation of the sport and its value were not aligned.
“We are the only Australian media company with a suite of distribution platforms across free-to-air and free and paid streaming services, as well as access to a global content pipeline delivering unequalled flexibility and reach, allowing us to make prudent long-term business decisions. “Paramount congratulates the successful consortium and wishes them and Cricket Australia well for the future.”
Reports had stated in the leadup to the new deal that CA was unwilling to partner with an untried streaming partner in Paramount and a network with less reach than Seven and Nine in Network Ten.
On Paramount’s statement, Hockley offered: “I can’t go into all the commercials, but they were very active all the way through the process, absolutely”.
When then questioned if the streaming platform’s sentiment from their statement was disingenuous, Hockley admitted: “I think a little bit”.
Meanwhile, Seven is reported to drop its court battle with Cricket Australia as a result of the new deal. The two had previously been in a legal battle after Seven claimed declining standards of the BBL, yet the new deal features a reduction in the length of the tournament that is hoped to bring about higher engagement.
Hockley believes the new deal “resets the relationship” between CA and Seven.
“We’ve always said that we thought some of the comments and grievances were unjustified. Obviously, the last couple of years have been extremely challenging for all sports and I think everyone across the game has done the most phenomenal job to keep cricket going,” he added.
“I think what this new deal has done is really reset that relationship. We’ve had a lot of robust conversations… but we think it’s a great deal for all parties.”