MediaWorks is the new radio and digital audio home of NZ Cricket, signing a three-year broadcast deal that will provide fans free-to-air commentary on Magic Talk.
Blackcaps and White Ferns internationals, as well as selected content from NZC domestic competitions, will be broadcast ball-by-ball on Magic Talk's 31 frequencies and Rova, the MediaWorks streaming app.
A bumper programme is scheduled next summer, with the West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australian men's teams set to visit, while the White Ferns will play the champion Australian women's team.
NZC chief executive David White was delighted to ink a deal with an "ideal radio partner" that draws 2.37 million listeners every week.
"We see great value in this new partnership and on two fronts in particular," White says.
"It will tap into and service our traditional fans’ love of live radio commentary, but it will also engage with new audiences and hopefully help widen the game’s appeal."
"The continuity of live, free-to-air, ball-by-ball radio and audio commentary was extremely important to NZC, and was always a priority for us in terms of ensuring cricket fans could follow the Blackcaps and White Ferns, and their favourite domestic teams - whenever they wanted and wherever they were."
MediaWorks director of content Leon Wratt says the company is "excited to be the new radio broadcast and digital audio partner of New Zealand Cricket".
NZC ended a more than 20-year relationship with NZME's Radio Sport in February, choosing to explore its radio broadcast and digital audio streaming options.
In October 2019, NZC also ended its previous relationship with Sky Sport, announcing a six-year streaming broadcast deal with Spark Sport.
MediaWorks says its new commentary team will be announced at a launch event next month.
