Paramount’s executive vice-president and chief content officer Beverley McGarvey has signalled the streaming and television network will continue its bullish attempts to secure major broadcast rights despite missing out on an AFL deal to boost its local sports offering.
The US entertainment company, which owns Network Ten, is preparing to take back the Big Bash League and may make a play for Test cricket to secure sport for its summer schedule.
In perhaps the clearest sign of its ambitions, Cricket Australia’s executive general manager of broadcast and commercial, Stephanie Beltrame, was seen at the television and streaming company’s annual television upfront last week.
CA is in early talks with broadcasters about its new broadcast deal.Credit:AP
“We are full service, we are multi-genre,” McGarvey said when asked whether Paramount’s sports strategy has changed after AFL talks. “All the AFL did was indicate to the market that we do have the investment capability. We are serious about making tactical decisions across a range of content and that really hasn’t changed.”
McGarvey did not specify Paramount’s interest in cricket or the BBL, but Paramount sources have confirmed they are interested.
Other media sources, who requested anonymity to speak about commercial discussions, said Cricket Australia has started conversations with alternative broadcast partners, including Nine Entertainment Co, owner of this masthead, and Paramount, which owns Network Ten, about securing a new deal.
Its current arrangement with Seven West Media and News Corp controlled-Foxtel ends after the 2023/2024 season. CA, Nine and Paramount declined to comment.
The talks are in the early stages, the sources said, but are going ahead despite an impeding court case between Cricket Australia and Seven, which is seeking millions of dollars in compensation over claims CA failed to meet contractual obligations.
Seven is hoping to save more than $135 million by proving in the Federal Court that CA breached its Big Bash League broadcast rights contract by reducing the quality and standards of the Big Bash League, which has continued to trend down in ratings since Seven acquired the rights in 2018.
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