Jowell yesterday told the BBC Radio 4 show 'World at One' she would not criticise the ECB over the deal because it would generate more money for the sport.
"The difference between the Sky deal and and the Channel 4 deal is £96m over four years. That money will be invested in grassroots cricket and the England team," she said.
This is despite calls from broadcasters, including the BBC and Channel 4, lobby groups and cricket fans that the sport, which was downgraded to a Group B event in 1998, should remain on terrestrial television.
Channel 4 picked up its highest audience share of the year on Monday, when 7.4m tuned in to see England's historic Ashes victory over Australia at the Oval to bring the trophy home after 18 years.
The record viewing figures renewed calls for live cricket matches to return to a "crown jewel" event and remain on terrestrial television.
Under the Broadcasting Act 1998, highlights of Group B listed events, such as cricket, must be offered to broadcasters on a channel that reaches 95% of the population.
Broadcasters were free to lodge a complaint to Ofcom about Sky's exclusive package and Five's highlights deal, because Five does not have full national free-to-air coverage across the UK, giving it less than the 95% that is required by the act.
However, Ofcom did not uphold any complaint. If it had, the deal could have been scuppered.
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