CSA Seeks New Broadcast Partner for England Tour After Sky Exit
Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Pholetsi Moseki has expressed confidence that a broadcast partner will be secured for England’s upcoming tour of South Africa later this year, despite Sky Sports withdrawing from its long-standing coverage agreement.
The tour, which will feature three Test matches including the traditional Boxing Day fixture in Centurion and the New Year Test in Cape Town, along with three One-Day Internationals, remains one of the highlights of the international cricket calendar.
Sky Sports’ decision to pull out marks the end of a broadcasting relationship spanning approximately 30 years, during which the UK broadcaster consistently covered England’s overseas tours.
However, Moseki said CSA had anticipated the shift in the global sports media landscape and was already in discussions with alternative partners.
“We are not really worried to be honest,” Moseki said. “There is still quite a long time before England arrive, and we are confident we will secure a partner.”
He noted that Sky Sports has in recent years reduced its acquisition of England’s overseas tour rights, including series in India and Australia, signalling a broader change in international sports broadcasting strategy.
Moseki acknowledged that reduced competition in the market could impact the commercial value of broadcasting rights. However, he stressed that CSA would focus on maximising available opportunities while adapting to changing market conditions.
“It’s never a good thing when there is less competition,” he said. “It can affect the value of rights, but the reality is the market is shifting, and we must adapt.”
He added that similar changes are being seen across global and domestic sports broadcasting, with mergers and shifting investment strategies among major media players reshaping the industry.
“The landscape is changing across the board,” Moseki said. “It is not a shock, but it is something all sporting bodies must navigate carefully.”
Despite the uncertainty, CSA remains optimistic that negotiations will conclude successfully ahead of the high-profile tour, which is expected to draw significant international attention during the festive cricket season.
Credit SportsBoom with the link: Here
