ECB rejects ABC's Ashes bid

The ABC's opening bid for secondary rights to broadcast the Ashes has been rejected by the ECB, a Senate committee in Canberra heard today. Discussions are continuing but Russell Balding, the ABC managing director, said there was "a long way to go" before a deal was finalised.

Australia play England over five Tests starting in July and under current scheduling only subscribers to Foxtel, the pay television channel, will see the series after the commercial free-to-air networks did not submit offers. "We are in negotiations with the England and Wales Cricket Board," Balding said. "They have rejected our initial bid, however, discussions are continuing."

Mr Balding said the ABC's price was based on no other free-to-air channel bidding for the rights, they were not exclusive and two-thirds of the matches were after 10pm. "Our indication from the ECB is that we've got a long way to go," Balding said. He said the federal government would not be asked to contribute funding.