Ahead of the first Ashes test in Perth on Friday, SVG Europe spoke with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe’s Scott Young to learn what he and the TNT Sports production team have planned for the 2025-26 England vs Australia series. The Ashes is one of world sport’s most storied contests. First played in 1882, the Test rivalry between England and Australia carries immense cultural weight for cricket fans. The prize is modest—a tiny terracotta urn. Yet the event transcends sport, reflecting its enduring heritage and derby-like rivalry. Each Test lasts up to five days, with daily play typically 6 to 7 hours, and the five-match series alternates between the UK and Australia every two years.
Because of the format and history, the Ashes offers broadcasters something relatively rare in modern sport: long-form, evolving drama with rich narratives that can unfold over time. In the UK, TNT Sports holds the rights to show the series under a broader deal with Cricket Australia. BT Sport previously aired England’s two most recent away Ashes series before its merger with Warner Bros.
“The Ashes provides long-form storytelling and a narrative arc that can evolve over a five-day game, with the opportunity to explore stories as they develop.”
Summary of production approach: a hybrid, maverick plan that blends traditional live coverage with innovative storytelling techniques to capture the series’ evolving drama while respecting its heritage.
Author’s summary: TNT Sports’ hybrid, maverick approach aims to balance immersive, long-form cricket storytelling with efficient coverage, delivering a reverent yet fresh broadcast experience for England vs Australia.