Is The Ashes On Free To Air Tv

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about something that's been causing quite the stir in the world of cricket - and no, it's not Steve Smith's batting average. It's the age-old question: Is The Ashes on free-to-air TV?

Now, before we dive in, let's set the scene. Imagine you're a humble cricket enthusiast, sitting in your lounge room, a cup of tea in one hand, a packet of Tim Tams in the other. You've just spent a small fortune on your electricity bill because you've had the aircon on full blast all summer. Suddenly, you get a wild hair up your bum - "I wonder if I can watch The Ashes for free?"

Let's Talk Free-to-Air

First things first, what exactly is free-to-air TV? It's like the public pool of television - everyone's invited, no entry fee required. It's the ABC, SBS, and the like. They're the ones who bring you shows like 'Gardening Australia' and 'The Great British Bake Off' (yes, I know it's not Australian, but who can resist Paul Hollywood's warm, doughy gaze?).

Now, you might be thinking, "But what about the commercial networks? Can't I just flick over to Channel 7 or 9 and catch The Ashes there?" Well, hold onto your hats, because that's where things get a bit tricky.

Cricket's Commercial Conundrum

You see, cricket in Australia is a bit like Married at First Sight - it's a massive drama that everyone loves to hate. And like any good reality TV show, it's a cash cow. The rights to broadcast cricket matches, including The Ashes, have been sold to the highest bidder. And that bidder, my friends, is not a free-to-air network.

In 2018, Cricket Australia sold the broadcast rights to Fox Sports and Seven Network. Now, Seven does have a free-to-air channel, but The Ashes aren't part of their free deal. It's like going to a buffet and finding out the chocolate fountain is only for the VIPs.

But Wait, There's More!

Now, I know what you're thinking - "But what about the public broadcaster, the ABC? Surely they'd show The Ashes for the good of the nation?" Well, here's where things get a bit more interesting.

The ABC does have a sports channel - ABC Sport. And guess what? They do show cricket! But here's the catch (pun intended) - they only show the women's international matches and the Big Bash League. The Ashes, unfortunately, are not part of their cricket coverage.

So, why the discrepancy? Well, it all comes down to money. The men's international matches, including The Ashes, are seen as more commercially valuable. It's like the difference between a fancy dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant and a free school lunch - one's going to cost you an arm and a leg, while the other is, well, free.

Streaming: The New Kid on the Block

But wait, you say! What about streaming services? Surely they'd show The Ashes for a small monthly fee? Well, yes and no. Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now both have the rights to stream The Ashes, but they're not exactly free. You'll need to cough up a subscription fee to access their services.

However, there is a silver lining. If you're a Telstra customer, you can access Kayo Sports for free with a Telstra mobile plan. It's like finding a $20 note in your jeans pocket - a pleasant surprise, but not something you can rely on every day.

So, Can I Watch The Ashes for Free?

Alright, let's cut to the chase. Can you watch The Ashes on free-to-air TV? The short answer is no. The long answer is... well, it's still no, but at least you got a bit of a laugh out of it, right?

But hey, don't let that dampen your spirits. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy The Ashes. You could always invite yourself over to a mate's place who has Foxtel, or you could even consider a streaming service. Just remember to bring the snacks - no one likes a freeloading cricket fan.

And who knows? Maybe one day, cricket will be back on free-to-air TV. Until then, we can only dream of a world where we can watch Steve Smith get out for a duck without having to reach for our wallets.