With less than six months to go until the highly anticipated return of the KFC Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League, Network Ten has announced that fans will get more prime time cricket than ever before.
All 35 KFC Big Bash League matches and 12 Women’s Big Bash League matches will be broadcast live into all states.
Cricket Australia has released a bumper schedule that sees 35 KFC Big Bash League matches played in 40 days, including four double-headers. With all 35 matches be broadcast in prime time, live and exclusive on TEN or ONE, fans will not miss a minute of the action.
Cricket Australia also released the 2016-17 Women’s Big Bash League schedule which sees 12 matches, including the final, broadcast live and exclusive on TEN or ONE.
Network Ten Chief Executive Officer, Paul Anderson, said: “We are delighted to be broadcasting 47 games of KFC Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League over the upcoming summer, live and exclusive.
“The KFC Big Bash League has become an integral part of summer in Australia. Cricket Australia has created and built an incredibly popular and successful competition, and we are thrilled to be able to bring it to all Australians.
“Network Ten has always been a leader in broadcasting women’s sport and we are leading the way again this summer,” he said.
“We are proud to further cement our commitment to women’s sport through a landmark deal that will see Network Ten broadcast 12 matches of the Women’s Big Bash League – including four of the matches that launch the 2016-17 season from Saturday, 10 December, live and exclusive on TEN. Ten of the 12 matches will be seen on the main TEN channel.
“We will also, for the first time broadcast the Melbourne Stars taking on the reigning premiers the Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League, live from 6.00pm. This will be the first time a standalone women’s sporting competition has been broadcast in prime time on a commercial freeto-air television network’s primary channel,” Mr Anderson said.
Network Ten Executive Producer, Big Bash League, David Barham said: “The Women’s Big Bash League proved extremely successful last summer and we are delighted to be broadcasting 20 per cent more women’s Big Bash this summer.
“Working closely with Cricket Australia, we have been able to structure the draw to ensure more Women’s Big Bash League matches can be broadcast live on Network Ten.”
Cricket Australia Executive General Manager – Operations, Mike McKenna, said: “The KFC Big Bash League is a school holiday staple for families and Network Ten’s commitment means fans can enjoy more summer content on the back of an increase in broadcast Women’s Big Bash League matches – a landmark commitment to women’s sport.
“Network Ten is integral in bringing our game to new fans and showcasing the fun, fast-paced atmosphere of every match.
“We’ve built the men’s and women’s Big Bash League schedules to stand side-by-side and we’re excited for what’s shaping up to be an even bigger Big Bash summer this season,” he said.
The sizzling 2016-17 KFC Big Bash League season will see more concentrated action, with each of the eight clubs playing in four home and four away matches around the country, starting with the reigning champions Sydney Thunder hosting the Sydney Sixers in the Sydney Smash on Tuesday, 20 December, at Spotless Stadium.
The semi-finals will be played on Tuesday, 24 January and Wednesday, 25 January, with the highest finishing club to host the Big Final on Saturday, 28 January 2017.
The best commentary team in the business is also back for the 2016-17 season. Joining Network Ten’s team this summer to co-host the coverage with Adam Gilchrist will be award-winning journalist and broadcaster Roz Kelly.
Ricky Ponting AO, Mark Waugh AM, Damien Fleming, Mark Howard and Andy Maher will also return to the commentary box. Mel Jones and Lisa Sthalekar will return as Women’s Big Bash League commentators, after their successful inaugural season in 2015-16.
Mr Barham said: “The KFC Big Bash League has been a great success for Network Ten, beating all our ratings targets in years one, two and three.
“To have every match broadcast live around the country was again the priority for 2016-17 and we are delighted that we have been able to achieve it. With even more high-profile players joining the competition this year, we are expecting a great summer.”
The 2016-17 Women’s Big Bash League will see 20 per cent more matches broadcast live.
Starting the season with a special carnival launch weekend on Saturday, 10 December, TEN will broadcast live four matches across the weekend from the North Sydney Oval, including the keenly awaited prime time match between the reigning champions, the Sydney Thunder, and the Melbourne Stars.
The semi-finals of the Women’s Big Bash League will be played on Tuesday, 24 January, and Wednesday, 25 January, with the highest finishing club to host the Big Final on Saturday, 28 January live on TEN.
