TNT Sports is in advanced negotiations to secure live UK broadcasting rights for England’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, a partnership that may include free-to-air (FTA) coverage on Channel 5.
According to The Guardian, Channel 5 is simultaneous in talks with Cricket Australia to develop a highlights package for the eight‑match tour, while also exploring live broadcasting rights for one of the five T20 internationals.
Channel 5 currently holds live rights to two men’s and two women’s T20s each summer under a four‑year agreement that launched this year, though the network has never previously aired an England match abroad.
The opening ten‑pitch T20 in Melbourne on 21 November stands out as Channel 5’s prime target, with its 8:15 am start on a Saturday potentially drawing the largest UK viewership.
Securing the deal would mark the first English overseas white‑ball game broadcast free‑to‑air since Channel 4 acquired Test series rights in India during the 2021 lockdown.
TNT Sports’ recent carriage of England’s final three Ashes series in Australia makes the club’s pursuit of the white‑ball tour a predictable move, especially with Sky Sports and Dazn also expressing interest.
This Channel 5 involvement signals a potential collaborative shift, given that both broadcasters are under the umbrella of US media conglomerate Paramount Skydance.
Additionally, Channel 5 secured an exclusive highlights package for the recent Commonwealth Games in the UK, airing the events live on TNT Sports.
England’s white‑ball side, led by Brendon McCullum, will depart for Australia in early December following a brief homecoming after the Pakistan T20 World Cup tri‑series, during which England have suffered consecutive losses to hosts and Sri Lanka over the last week.
WACA warm‑up matches are set for 7 November, preceding a three‑match series kicking off at Perth Stadium on 13 November, with five T20 fixtures to follow.
TNT Sports has not yet responded, while Cricket Australia is optimistic that the broadcasting arrangement will be finalized.
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