PCB and ARY Communications Ink Deal for Upcoming Cricket Series Broadcast Rights

Key Takeaways

• PCB awards media rights for men’s and women’s cricket series to ARY Communications (A Sports).
• The deal includes the broadcast of Pakistan vs. New Zealand men's T20Is and Pakistan women’s vs. West Indies women’s series.
• This agreement marks a significant 41% increase in media rights value from the previous series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a significant step forward in enhancing the coverage of cricket in the country by awarding the media rights for the upcoming men’s and women’s series to ARY Communications, specifically their sports channel, A Sports. This pivotal agreement ensures that the eagerly anticipated five men’s Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) between Pakistan and New Zealand, scheduled from April 18 to April 27 in the iconic cities of Rawalpindi and Lahore, alongside the Pakistan women’s series against the West Indies women’s team, which includes three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20Is from April 18 to May 3 in Karachi, will be broadcast live on A Sports HD.

The collaboration between PCB and ARY Communications is not new but a continuation of a fruitful partnership that began in 2022. It was then that ARY Communications, one of the country's most influential media networks, secured the media rights for the highly popular HBL Pakistan Super League. The renewal of this partnership through the latest media rights agreement signifies a noteworthy 41 percent increase from the media rights value of the previous series involving these teams. This increase is a testament to the PCB team's adept negotiation and sales skills, ensuring maximum revenue generation from the upcoming home series. This revenue is earmarked for reinvestment into the development of cricket in Pakistan, underlining the PCB's commitment to nurturing the sport at both grassroots and elite levels.

A Sports HD is not just any sports broadcasting channel. It boasts a rich history of showcasing a wide array of prestigious events, including the HBL Pakistan Super League, bilateral matches featuring the Pakistan men’s team, ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and various other international cricket leagues and sporting events. This extensive coverage has positioned A Sports HD as a premier destination for sports fans across Pakistan and beyond.

The enthusiasm for this renewed partnership is palpable from both sides. PCB is "delighted to collaborate with A Sports HD for the upcoming men’s and women’s series against New Zealand and West Indies, respectively," recognizing the mutual benefits this partnership brings. On the other hand, ARY Communications is equally thrilled to continue its longstanding partnership with PCB, with a clear mission to promote premium sporting events in Pakistan and bring them to the widest possible audience.

This partnership between PCB and ARY Communications through A Sports HD is more than just a media rights agreement. It is a commitment to bring cricket, Pakistan’s beloved sport, closer to its passionate fans. It ensures that the upcoming series are not just games to be played but experiences to be shared, celebrated, and cherished by fans across the country and the world.