ICC signs broadcast deal with BBC

The International Cricket Council has signed a four-year deal with the British broadcasting Corporation to show video highlights of the sport’s major events on its website.
An online portal, Theinsidegames, said the agreement was signed on February 1 between the two bodies.
It said the deal would cover the upcoming World Twenty20 slated for March in India and the 2017 Women’s World Cup.
It added that other tournaments it covered include the ICC’s flagship men’s quadrennial tournament and the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.
The statement revealed that BBC would broadcast six minutes per hour of play on its Sport website, with coverage featuring end of day round-ups, digital preview programming features and archive material.
According to the portal, Giles Clarke, the ICC Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee Chairman, said the body was delighted to partner with BBC.
Clarke said: “The ICC is delighted to partner with BBC Sport in the U.K. which is widely respected and followed due to its ability and resources to produce high-quality cricket content.
“The U.K. will be host to three important ICC events between 2017 and 2019.
“This deal confirms ICC’s enthusiasm and commitment to take its events to all its fans irrespective of where they are and how they are following these tournaments.
“I have no doubt that this partnership will take cricket coverage to a new level and will benefit both ICC and BBC with cricket being the ultimate winner.”
The portal said Barbara Slater, BBC Sport Director, noted that the company was pleased with the mutual agreement between both entities.
Slater said: “We’re very happy to announce this new agreement with the ICC, which is all about bringing the best of cricket to a wider audience as possible.
“There is a strong appetite among audiences for the sport.
“And we’re looking forward to helping to deliver them the best of the action from these major events through to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
“The online rights will complement our live radio commentary portfolio and popular online offering, giving audiences video of the best of the action wherever they are.”
NAN.