Cricket fans will have more opportunities to watch England’s T20 matches on free-to-air television, as Channel 5 has acquired the rights to broadcast four home England T20 games each year for the next four years. The agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) ensures continued accessibility to selected T20 internationals alongside Sky Sports’ ongoing coverage.

The rights were previously held by the BBC. Channel 5’s coverage will extend beyond traditional broadcasting, with games also available on its digital platform, My5, and highlights from the T20 Blast competition set to be streamed.

The first match under this new agreement will feature the England women’s T20 team against the West Indies in Chelmsford. Other key matches include England men’s T20 against the West Indies on June 8,England women versus India on June 28,and England men against South Africa on september 14.

The ECB has also renewed its partnership with the BBC, wich will retain highlights rights for all red and white-ball international matches across TV, iPlayer, and online platforms. The BBC’s deal also includes in-play clips and live coverage of The hundred, with Test Match Special remaining the primary radio broadcaster for home international matches until at least 2028.

“Test Match Special will remain the primary radio broadcaster for home internationals until at least 2028.”