Former Indian captain Kapil Dev will head the Executive Board of the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL).
The other members of the Board include former stumper and selector Kiran More, former England captain Tony Greg and Australian cricketer-turned-commentator Dean Jones.
While making the announcement, Himanshu Modi, Business Head of Zee Sports, said more positions would be finalised later. (more…)
ESPN STAR, Asia’s premier sports broadcaster, on Tuesday announced the launch of a dedicated cricket channel for audiences in the Indian subcontinent. The new channel, christened STAR Cricket, will commence transmission in June 2007. STAR Cricket will be the 15th network launched by ESPN STAR in the Asia Pacific region.
Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, R.C. Venkatesh, said, “The launch of STAR Cricket is part of our long term strategy to further strengthen our offering to the sports fans in the country. STAR Cricket will showcase live India and non-India cricket for the passionate Indian cricket fan.
“We plan to add quality first class cricket coverage from around the globe as well. The channel will also showcase feature programming on cricket including reality shows, archival programming and magazine shows. STAR Cricket will be the one stop destination of all the cricket action, history, updates, views and reviews.” (more…)
Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty , winner of the Celebrity Big Brother, show has signed a mega-bucks deal to play the lead in a grand Bollywood musical, its producer said today.
Farhath Hussain said in London that the musical, yet to be titled, would be staged in September this year.
Hussain who has earned a name for himself in show business organising mega Bollywood concerts in around the world planned to sign a top leading man, choreographer and music director from the Indian film industry. (more…)
AFTER the Indian cricket team’s ouster from the ICC World Cup 2007, the worst fears of advertisers and media agencies have come true. According to latest numbers released by the TV audience measurement firm Audience Measurement and Analytics Ltd (aMap), television viewership of World Cup matches has been shaved off by over 50% since India’s exit.
aMap’s data reveals that gross rating points (GRPs) of the matches have plunged to 13.89 from a GRP levels in excess of 40 during India matches. For instance, the GRP of the Australia vs South Africa (March 24) fixture, which was the first game after India’s exit, was 22.98. GRP for Tuesday’s West Indies vs Australia game (March 27) crashed further to 13.89.
Compare these numbers with the GRPs of matches where India played. India’s first match with Bangladesh delivered a GRP of 46.67. The game against Bermuda delivered a GRP of 40.75, while the ratings shot to 54.53 for the crucial match with Sri Lanka. The GRP for the World Cup opener between West Indies and Pakistan (March 13) was also a modest 36.83. aMap’s GRP figures for the first half of the matches also showed similar trend. (more…)