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Dazn has bought the UK rights for Australia\u2019s Test series against Bangladesh this month in a landmark deal for the global streaming platform.<\/p>\n
The two Test matches in Darwin and Mackay in Australia\u2019s Top End will be the first time Dazn, whose main focus is football and combat sports, broadcasts international cricket in what could be a significant development for the market.<\/p>\n As reported by The Guardian, Cricket<\/a> Australia had been seeking a long-term deal with broadcasters for their UK rights, but has opted to sell the Bangladesh series to Dazn as a one-off, with negotiations ongoing regarding its other properties.<\/p>\n England\u2019s white-ball team are touring Australia this autumn for eight ODI and T20 games, and the one-off 150th anniversary Test takes place in Melbourne next March, and while other broadcasters have expressed interest, Dazn\u2019s willingness to take the Bangladesh Tests is likely to put it in a strong negotiating position.<\/p>\n Dazn\u2019s only previous cricket coverage was a joint deal with Sky Sports to televise the 2023 Indian Premier League in the UK, but last year the company bought Australian satellite channel Foxtel, which holds Cricket Australia\u2019s domestic rights until 2031.<\/p>\n Dazn\u2019s UK broadcast of the Bangladesh series is expected to rely on coverage provided by the host broadcaster, Fox Sports.<\/p>\n Cricket Australia has struggled to attract competition for its UK rights in recent years as Sky Sports has moved away from showing England\u2019s winter tours, although it does still have the rights for the Big Bash League.<\/p>\n England\u2019s past three men\u2019s Ashes tours have been televised by TNT Sports and its predecessor, BT Sport, but Dazn could now bid for the rights for the 2029-30 tour.<\/p>\n Australia has named an experienced squad for the Bangladesh series, with the captain Pat Cummins returning for the first time since last December\u2019s third Ashes Test in Adelaide, they begin a mammoth run that will feature 21 Tests in less than 12 months if they reach next June\u2019s World Test Championship final.<\/p>\n
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