BBC snaps up radio deal for India cricket
The BBC has struck an exclusive deal to broadcast all international tour matches in India for four years, including next month’s England series.
The contract will allow the BBC to broadcast live commentary across any of its radio networks for a total of 10 series.
The series next month will be aired live on Test Match Special on BBC Five Live Sports Extra and Radio 4LW. The BBC Asian Network will feature six audio diaries with Northants spinner Monty Panesar during England�۪s tour to India. These audio diaries will capture Monty’s personal experience of being on tour with the England team to the country of his ancestral heritage. The diaries are due to run on between 28th February ��� 23rd March during Drive, 16:00 ��� 19:30 and feature Monty�۪s personal experience of being in India both on and off the pitch.
The radio agreement entitles the BBC to cover matches from all major international sides visiting India including Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
BBC director of Sport Roger Mosey said: “We believe it’s vital for cricket that there should be live free-to-air broadcasting, so we’re delighted that the BBC’s radio services, including the Asian Network, will be offering live coverage from India.
“This will be supported by our strong online news service and by reporting across our TV and radio channels.”
The BBC has full radio commentary rights to the Ashes series in Australia later this year and the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies in 2007.
Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing to try to reach an agreement on TV coverage ahead of the first Test in Nagpur, which starts on 1 March.
The fight for TV rights for the England tour of India is far from over with talks ongoing between rights holder Nimbus and several broadcasters including BSkyB, ZEE, Sony and Ary Digital. ZEE are looking favourites to win the worldwide rights for the deal. If Sky do win them then they will be forced to use presenters and commentators chosen by Nimbus rather than its usual team. The winner will be confirmed by Nimbus on Wednesday.
