CRICKET’S turbulent year on the broadcast front continues with 3AW set to pull the pin on the summer.
While Cricket Australia is in the middle of an ugly fight with its main TV broadcaster Channel 7, the loss of a key radio outlet is another body blow it can clearly do without.
Just over two years ago CA was spruiking the six-year radio broadcast rights deal it clinched with Macquarie Media – the owner of 3AW – the ABC and Crocmedia (now Sports Entertainment Network).
But since the Nine network took over Macquarie last year, the focus has been on costcutting, and cricket is the latest casualty.
As part of the original deal 3AW was to cover all men’s and women’s internationals, plus Big Bash matches, which would be produced and supplied by Crocmedia.
Clearly the uncertainty around this summer of cricket has played a part in the 3AW’s withdrawal. India is scheduled to arrive in Australia in December, with a quarantine hub to be set up at the Adelaide Oval, while there are mixed feelings about how the Big Bash will shape up because of the COVID-19 implications.