ECB faces tough choices

The ECB's management board will meet later today to discuss the two offers on the table for domestic television coverage from 2006 to 2008. It is unlikely to be sweetness and light when the discussions begin.

The debate will be between those who want to continue the existing deal, which splits international coverage between terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4 and satellite channel BSkyB, and those who want to take extra cash in return for an exclusive deal with BSkyB. While the status quo would ensure that cricket remains available to a much wider audience, BSkyB has deep pockets and its bid is worth as much as £20 million a year extra.

Whatever happens, BSkyB will retain the lion's share of domestic coverage - as it has done for some time - all one-day international coverage, and any fledgling international Twenty20 games. Tests will be split with Channel 4.

The battle lines are drawn, with the ECB believed to be in favour of a deal which continues with the existing arrangement, while the county chairmen are in favour of an exclusive deal with BSkyB.

Critics of the BSkyB bid warn that were cricket to disappear from free-to-air TV, its public profile would diminish substantially. There were also reports that if Channel 4 lose out this time, they would abstain from future bids. With the BBC, whose 60-year exclusive deal ended in 1999, not bidding this time round, that could leave BSkyB with a monopoly, a situation which could mean that future negotiations are far less lucrative for the ECB.

Those who argue that cricket must be kept on terrestrial TV are worried that the ECB's negotiations are being fronted by Giles Clarke, Somerset's chairman, a man who believes that the balance between county and country has gone too far in favour of the latter. He is also thought to advocate taking the bid which produces the most cash.

"Once a byword for honesty and fair play, cricket looks to have been compromised by the men who claim most to protect it," Derek Pringle wrote in today's Daily Telegraph. "Selling more [rights], or all of them, to subscription TV may guarantee much-needed extra cash, but the damage to cricket from reduced exposure could more than offset immediate gains."

Today's meeting will not produce any quick announcement. Under European Union regulations, TV rights cannot be awarded until internet and mobile phone rights have been agreed, and the tender process for those only concluded last week. No news is expected until the end of January at the earliest.

BSkyB
Is prepared to pay up to £60 million per annum for a three-year deal for exclusive rights to all home international and domestic cricket.

BSkyB/Channel 4
A joint bid will pay around £40 million per annum for three years. BSkyB will show the first home Test series of the season, Channel 4 the second. All other international and domestic cricket will be shown on BSkyB, although Channel 4 with have the right to highlights of all international games.