ECB worried about losing satellite carriage

The ECB appears to be worried about the live coverage of the Ashes returning to terrestrial TV after 2013, as it estimates that this move will cost the board around £120 million.

The move would follow the regulator Ofcom’s decision to look into the so called “Crown Jewels”.

These are sporting events that should be available for everyone to see, regardless of a viewer’s location or whether they subscribe to the Sky Sports or ESPN satellite channels.

Events like the Ashes fall into this category and yet currently the ECB has a £300 million, four-year contract with BSkyB.

Once this deal ends, the Ashes will probably be able to be seen by all, but the ECB will be seriously out of pocket in the process.