ESPN3 is looking to cement their claim as the leading provider of cricket coverage in the US. Or maybe their just trying to make their radio joke about cricket coverage being subdued false. ESPN3 has entered into an agreement to carry all the remaining cricket matches in the 2013 Tri-Nation Series. The agreement makes ESPN3 the exclusive provider of cricket in the US. The release also gives the dates and times of all remaining matches this year. Below is the press release from ESPN Media Zone.
ESPN3 Enters into Sub-License Agreement with Zee TV to Carry the West Indies Tri-Nation Series Exclusively in US
Additional series from the Pakistan and Sri Lanka cricket boards to be delivered through December
ESPN and Zee TV have reached a sub-license deal for exclusive live coverage of the West Indies Tri-Series exclusively on ESPN3 in the US. The agreement – which includes additional series from the Pakistan and Sri Lanka cricket boards – will give fans in the US access to the matches through the end of the year. Featured opponents in the tests, ODIs and T20s include India, South Africa and New Zealand.
“ESPN3 is proving itself to be a leading destination for live coverage of major cricket events in the US, and following the ICC Champions Trophy with the Tri-Series in the Caribbean continues on our mission to serve fans with access to the second most popular international sport,” said John Lasker, vice president of programming and acquisitions, ESPN. “We look forward to delivering these events across multiple platforms to veteran fans while also introducing this dynamic sport to new audiences.”
“We are very delighted to work with ESPN3 to distribute our cricket content,” added Sameer Targe, general manager, Asia TV USA. “It is time South Asian programmers think outside the box to deliver their content that might otherwise not be seen on television across digital platforms to best serve sports fans.”
The current tri-series in the Caribbean between the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka concludes its final ODIs this week:
| Date | Time (ET) | Match |
| Tue, Jul 9 | 9:30 a.m. | ODI #6: India vs. Sri Lanka |
| Thu, Jul 11 | 9:30 a.m. | ODI #7: West Indies vs. India vs. Sri Lanka Final TBD |
Additionally on Sunday, July 14, the Pakistan vs. West Indies tour will begin its five ODIs and two T20s:
| Date | Time (ET) | Match |
| Sun, Jul 14 | 9:20 a.m. | ODI #1: Pakistan vs. West Indies |
| Tue, Jul 16 | 9:20 a.m. | ODI #2: Pakistan vs. West Indies |
| Fri, Jul 19 | 9:20 a.m. | ODI #3: Pakistan vs. West Indies |
| Sun, Jul 21 | 9:20 a.m. | ODI #4: Pakistan vs. West Indies |
| Wed, Jul 24 | 9:20 a.m. | ODI #5: Pakistan vs. West Indies |
| Sat, Jul 27 | TBD | T20 #1: Pakistan vs. West Indies |
| Sun, Jul 28 | TBD | T20 #2: Pakistan vs. West Indies |
Later this month through early August, Sri Lanka vs. South Africa will play seven events that include five ODIs and three T20s:
| Date | Time (ET) | Match |
| Sat, Jul 20 | 5:00 a.m. | ODI #1: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
| Tue, Jul 23 | 5:00 a.m. | ODI #2: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
| Fri, Jul 26 | 5:00 a.m. | ODI #3: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
| Sun, Jul 28 | 5:00 a.m. | ODI #4: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
| Wed, Jul 31 | 5:00 a.m. | ODI #5: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
| Fri, Aug 2 | 9:30 a.m. | T20 #1: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
| Sun, Aug 4 | 9:30 a.m. | T20 #2: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
| Tue, Aug 6 | 9:30 a.m. | T20 #3: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa |
Other series later this year feature Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand, Pakistan vs. South Africa and Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka. The complete schedule (dates and times TBD):
| Date | Match |
| November | 3 ODIs and 1 T20: Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand |
| October/November | 2 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20s: Pakistan vs. South Africa |
| December | 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20s: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka |
In-depth pre- and post-coverage following each event will be available via ESPNcricinfoonline and on mobile platforms.
About ESPN3
ESPN3 is ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of global sports events annually and accessible online via WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on Apple TV. It is currently available to more than 85 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.
-30-
No comments:
Post a Comment