Free-to-Air Cricket Returns: ECB and Channel 5 Ink Live T20 Deal

ECB Partners with 5 to Bring Free-to-Air Live T20 Cricket Back to UK Screens

England fans set to enjoy more live cricket without a subscription

In a move that significantly broadens access to international cricket in the UK, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has struck a groundbreaking four-year partnership with 5, bringing live international T20 cricket back to free-to-air television. The deal will ensure that four T20 internationals two each from the England Men’s and Women’s teams will be aired live and free every summer, starting this May.

With this initiative, the ECB continues its mission of expanding the game’s reach beyond paywalls and into living rooms across the country. The deal also marks a welcome return to live cricket broadcasting for Channel 5, a network with a history of engaging cricket content, having previously aired England’s highlights from 2006 to 2019 and the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

What this deal means for viewers

Under the new agreement, 5 will simulcast four live international T20 fixtures each year an offering that will sit alongside Sky Sports' coverage. The matches can be watched on traditional TV and streamed via 5’s digital platforms, making cricket accessible to households that don’t subscribe to pay-TV sports packages.

The first broadcast will be the women’s T20 clash between England and West Indies on May 26, followed by England Men vs West Indies on June 8. Later in the summer, fans can look forward to England Women vs India on June 28, and finally England Men vs South Africa on September 14.

Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at 5, expressed his excitement about the partnership, noting, “We are thrilled to partner with the ECB to bring live T20 cricket to free-to-air TV. This collaboration brings a summer of live T20 cricket to our audience across the UK and adds to our growing sports offering.”

A boost for both men’s and women’s cricket

One of the standout aspects of this deal is its balance between men’s and women’s international cricket. With two live matches dedicated to each team every year, the visibility of the women’s game is set to grow substantially something long called for by fans and experts alike.

The ECB’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tony Singh, said: “We’re delighted to welcome 5 back to cricket as the free-to-air TV home for four of the summer’s big IT20 clashes. We’re particularly pleased that both our Men’s and Women’s teams will be featured in equal measure. This is an important step in showcasing the full breadth of England cricket.”

Not just international – county cricket gets a nod too

In addition to the live internationals, 5 will also host highlights of the T20 Vitality Blast, the ECB’s flagship domestic white-ball competition. The move ensures that domestic cricket, which often takes a backseat in broadcasting schedules, receives meaningful airtime throughout the summer season.

By adding the Blast to its digital content strategy, 5 is making a concerted effort to engage fans at every level of the sport—from casual viewers to county die-hards.

Free-to-air cricket’s long-awaited return

This partnership comes at a time when the question of free-to-air access to major sports is once again under the spotlight. Ever since cricket’s migration to pay-TV in the mid-2000s, critics have argued that limiting live cricket to subscription channels has narrowed the game’s audience.

Channel 5’s return, especially with live international cricket, breaks that pattern. It signals a recognition from the ECB and its partners that free access plays a crucial role in keeping the sport connected to fans of all ages, backgrounds, and economic brackets.

Building on strong foundations

The 5-ECB partnership follows closely on the heels of the ECB’s recent renewal of its collaboration with the BBC, which continues to offer highlights of England’s matches and live coverage of The Hundred. Together, these deals showcase a diversified strategy by the ECB: maintain premium value through pay-TV with Sky, but also keep the game widely visible through partnerships with public service broadcasters.

In context, this is a continuation of a shift that began with the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, which was simulcast on Channel 4, and gained steam with The Hundred’s debut across BBC platforms. Now, with 5 stepping up as a consistent live broadcaster, the calendar of accessible cricket looks brighter than it has in decades.

The growing appeal of Channel 5 as a sports hub

Once seen as a smaller player in UK broadcasting, 5 has grown into a dynamic content destination, particularly through its association with the Paramount Global brand family. The channel is home to high-quality UK productions across drama, documentary, and current affairs and is now increasing its footprint in sport.

Recent BAFTA and RTS awards for documentary content and a creative transformation in programming strategy have made 5 a trusted and innovative broadcaster. Their entry into live sport, particularly with events like T20 cricket, expands their appeal and adds serious momentum to their vision of becoming a major destination for national storytelling and shared experiences.

More than just cricket it's about access, equity, and engagement

What makes this deal significant is more than the matches themselves. It’s about the reintegration of cricket into the mainstream cultural fabric of the UK. For kids flicking through channels on a Sunday afternoon, for families who can’t afford premium sports bundles, for casual fans who once loved the game this deal is a way back in.

It also reinforces a more inclusive image of cricket. Broadcasting both men's and women's matches with parity sends a powerful message: every cricketer, regardless of gender, deserves the spotlight.

As the summer rolls in, and with the international cricket season heating up, there’s a renewed sense of anticipation in the air. Thanks to this partnership, the sound of leather on willow will echo not just in stadiums and pubs but in homes, lounges, parks, and public spaces across the country.