England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a warning to several popular cricket commentators over their involvement in a new YouTube show. The ECB has made it clear that commentators like Phil Tufnell and Steven Finn could lose their media accreditation for next summer's Ashes if they join the upcoming project during England's tour of South Africa.
The fresh drama started after reports emerged that several familiar BBC Test Match Special commentators had agreed to work on a new watchalong show called The Usual Voices (TUV).
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The program will be recorded in London, where the commentators will watch matches on television and share their views and reactions with viewers. The show is being launched by Australian company Cricket Entertainment Network (CEN), which counts Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test captain and star fast bowler, among its founders.
Apart from Phil Tufnell and Steven Finn, Daniel Norcross, Alex Hartley, Vic Marks, Andy Zaltzman, Ebony Rainford-Brent, and Simon Mann are also expected to be involved in the show. Former England captain David Gower and Simon Hughes have also agreed to join the project.
The BBC has reportedly taken a relaxed approach because it has no winter broadcasting work for its TMS commentators during the South Africa tour. Talksport has already purchased the radio rights for the series from Cricket South Africa (CSA), which will take place over Christmas.
Richard Gould explains why ECB is against new YouTube show, puts Cricket Finances first
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is not happy with this arrangement. The board believes the new YouTube show could affect the value of the broadcasting deal purchased by Talksport. ECB chief executive Richard Gould has warned that commentators involved in the project could be denied media accreditation at English venues next summer.
Gould also explained that broadcasting deals provide important financial support to cricket boards. The money helps Cricket South Africa pay its players and manage the game. The ECB wants to protect these income sources and does not want any unofficial program to affect the value of paid broadcasting rights.
Richard Gould was quoted as saying by Telegraph Sport from Bali, where he is attending the ICC meeting, "We are aware for the South Africa tour that broadcast rights have been purchased by Talksport. For the current Australia tour, they have been purchased by the BBC. The money that has been paid is important to the economics of cricket. We want to help protect CSA’s income streams, because they rely on those to pay their players and fund the game in South Africa.”
The ECB CEO has warned that it will not allow any unofficial coverage that could reduce the value of its official broadcasting rights. They believe the planned YouTube watchalong is similar to an unofficial radio station covering test matches without paying for broadcasting rights.
Gould also said that the England board could explore legal action and use its power to deny media accreditation to commentators involved in “our venues in our own summer." He warned that they have authority to take action against any commentators that are perceived to be “undermining the broadcast values either for us or our fellow countries."
He said, “It’s about protecting our rights holders and making sure the finances of the game are not undermined by people who believe they have the rights to something without paying for it.”
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ECB refuses to compromise on broadcasting rights
The ECB CEO also pointed out that ordinary people can still watch cricket and share their own commentary on YouTube. However, Gould believes a professional watchalong featuring well-known commentators is different because it could compete directly with the official broadcaster.
He signed off by saying, “This is recognized by commentators who rely on the game for their own income in other areas. This looks like an off-grid BBC format they are creating, which would effectively be competing with TalkSport, who have actually bought the rights. We would take the same action if any other group of media commentators tried to undermine the value of our broadcasters.”
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