Cape Town - Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Sky Sports (BskyB) on Wednesday announced a long-term agreement that will give Sky Sports exclusive television broadcast rights for the United Kingdom and Ireland for all home international matches for the Proteas as well as CSA’s domestic franchise T20 competition.
The deal with run for eight years from 2012 to 2020 and will include two England tours to South Africa in 2015 and 2019. During this period the Proteas, the No 1 ranked Test match side, will also have home series against New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, India, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “Test cricket has always been core to Sky Sports. As England look to take the Test crown back from South Africa our viewers can see their next two series in South Africa.”
CSA Acting CEO Jacques Faul commented: “We are delighted to have signed a long-term deal with Sky Sports for the broadcasting rights in Britain for the Proteas’ home matches for the next eight years. This follows similar deals we have recently signed on the Asian sub-continent and in North America.
“It is further confirmation of the high regard there is around the world for the Proteas’ brand and the world-class performances they produce on a consistent basis, including their regaining of the No 1 Test ranking. It all contributes to providing the financial muscle we need to continue our world-class development programmes to take cricket to every corner of the country and to fulfil our vision of making cricket a truly national sport of winners.
“South African cricket is built on the five pillars of excellence, development, transformation, sustainability and brand promotion and this sponsorship deal will strengthen our cricket in all these important areas.
“I am also sure cricket enthusiasts around the world will be thrilled to note that our next two home series against England will consist of four Test matches each.”
The deal with run for eight years from 2012 to 2020 and will include two England tours to South Africa in 2015 and 2019. During this period the Proteas, the No 1 ranked Test match side, will also have home series against New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, India, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “Test cricket has always been core to Sky Sports. As England look to take the Test crown back from South Africa our viewers can see their next two series in South Africa.”
CSA Acting CEO Jacques Faul commented: “We are delighted to have signed a long-term deal with Sky Sports for the broadcasting rights in Britain for the Proteas’ home matches for the next eight years. This follows similar deals we have recently signed on the Asian sub-continent and in North America.
“It is further confirmation of the high regard there is around the world for the Proteas’ brand and the world-class performances they produce on a consistent basis, including their regaining of the No 1 Test ranking. It all contributes to providing the financial muscle we need to continue our world-class development programmes to take cricket to every corner of the country and to fulfil our vision of making cricket a truly national sport of winners.
“South African cricket is built on the five pillars of excellence, development, transformation, sustainability and brand promotion and this sponsorship deal will strengthen our cricket in all these important areas.
“I am also sure cricket enthusiasts around the world will be thrilled to note that our next two home series against England will consist of four Test matches each.”