BT beat Sky Sports to win rights to next Ashes series in Australia

Ashes cricket will be on BT Sport in 2017. Credit: PA

BT Sport will broadcast the next Ashes series in Australia in 2017-18 after securing the television rights.

The deal will see BT Sport broadcast both Australia home internationals and domestic cricket for five years.

This contract will be another blow to Sky Sports, who have already lost the rights to the Champions League to the company.

Viewing figures for this summer's Ashes series were reportedly underwhelming, as interest in the long form of the sport has dwindled in recent years.

BT have made in roads into football broadcasting. Credit: PA

Under the terms of the deal, BT Sport will show all Australia's Test matches, one-day internationals and T20 games - including matches against other nations such as New Zealand, South Africa, India and Pakistan. The rights also include the Big Bash League, and the women's Ashes.

BT Sport will also show free-to-air daily highlights of internationals and the Big Bash League.

Delia Bushell, managing director of BT TV and BT Sport, said: "BT Sport is delighted to be adding international cricket to its line-up, and to be the new home of the next Ashes tour in Australia."

Kevin Pietersen is just one of a number of stars to appear in the Big Bash. Credit: PA

The rights reportedly cost BT Sport £80million and Cricket Australia's executive general manager Ben Amarfio said BT Sport's reach into 5.2million homes influenced the decision.

"We are delighted to be entering into this important new partnership with BT Sport," Amarfio said.

"BT Sport put forward a highly compelling bid for the rights to broadcast cricket from Australia to audiences throughout the United Kingdom.

"They are uniquely placed to become one of the UK's largest sports channels and we think cricket can provide the content and opportunities to help them do just that.

"With more cricket content now available via BT Sport, free-to-air television and through our digital platforms, we are making the game more accessible to more people. The principle of taking the game to more people is very important in our efforts to grow the game."

The new agreement will start in October 2016 with Australia's home Test series against South Africa.