The fight for Australia's cricket TV rights isn't over yet, with Channel 9 reportedly entering the fold.
Nine was the long-time rights holder before Channel 7 swept in, and while the network currently showing the summer of cricket have lodged a new bid, it wouldn't surprise to see Cricket Australia get cold feet towards that deal given the problems they and the network have faced.
Seven have had Cricket Australia in court over perceived contractual breaches, brought on mainly due to a lack of talent in the Big Bash League - which had plenty of outside factors driving down on it.
It's well-known by now that Channel Ten and Paramount Plus are the leaders when it comes to money for the next TV deal, due to start in the 2024-25 summer of cricket, but according to News Corp, Cricket Australia have their reservations about signing on with the company to produce cricket for the next term.
While Ten used to broadcast the Big Bash League, it's understood Cricket Australia are nervous not only about their streaming technology through Paramount, but also their market share.
A-League fans have complained bitterly about Paramount's streaming of the competition, and while it's understood new technology is due to be brought in, it remains untested at this time.
Add to that, Channel 10s market share is dropping dangerously low, and the report now suggests that Cricket Australia may have a preference to work with a combination of Nine and Fox Sports, in a similar set-up to the current deal on Seven and Fox.
That said, previous reports have suggested Cricket Australia are keen to get white-ball cricket back on free to air TV, with the ODI and T20I game suffering badly since it was sent behind a paywall.
Nine also broadcast the tennis during the summer, however, it's understood that isn't an issue for Cricket Australia, provided the network can stump the funds up - something that must be questioned given their $100 million commitment to the tennis and further commitments to the NRL.
