ITV get rights to IPL
05-03-2010
CRICKET fans, rejoice.
ITV has secured the live rights to 59 matches of this year's Indian Premier League (IPL).
Twenty20 enthusiasts won't be forced to retire to their computers to catch up on clashes between some of the world's best players in the shortest format of the game. Youtube have the rights to broadcast matches.
From the comfort of their armchair, ITV4 will be screening the very best action and complementing with analysis and commentary.
Lalit Modi (pictured), IPL chief, welcomed the move.
He said: “The UK market has traditionally been very difficult to
crack and Sky TV has always been difficult to deal with and
that's why this deal with ITV, which is the oldest commercial
broadcaster in the UK, is very huge for us.”
ITV last had cricket on its schedules 30 years ago and is planning to market its latest sports acquisition in a big way.
Zai Bennett, ITV director of digital channels, said: "In only two years, the Indian Premier League has already established itself as one of the world's most high profile and exciting sports events which attracts some of the very best cricketers from around the globe.”
The IPL starts next week.
The rights used to belong to Setanta Sports which closed down last year.