UK broadcasters snub Asia Cup 2016
This year’s Asia Cup cricket tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, will be missing from UK television screens.
UK viewers had been waiting for a last-minute announcement from one of the leading broadcasters but it seems they have been left disappointed. Last year’s rights holder, Life Ok (Star TV) turned its back on the rights, along with Indian broadcasters ZEE Network and Sony Entertainment Television Asia. Meanwhile, Sky Sports, which was also looking favourite to bag the rights confirmed to BizAsiaLive.com that it had not acquired the rights.
The decision could also be down to online service provider, Yupp TV, which is streaming the whole series free via its website.
A highly placed industry source told BizAsiaLive.com, “Its not a big surprise that no channel will be broadcasting this year’s Asia Cup. Its all eyes on next month’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup, which TV channels are gearing up for. Ratings on Life Ok for Asia Cup last year were good but not fantastic. There’s also been a ratings fatigue with the amount of excess cricket played recently. Furthermore, the ‘free’ deal Asia Cup has with Yupp TV is a deterrence for UK broadcasters.”
The Asia Cup 2016 will be played between 24th February – 6th March 2016.