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…)

india cricket rights holder Nimbus today warned the BCCi that it would demand compensation for “dilution of the value of its property” if the issue of encryption of Doordarshan’s terrestrial signal is not sorted out.

The move by the sports broadcaster to protect its $ 612 million acquisition came even as Prasar Bharati today failed to reach a consensus on the issue of setting encryption mandates for Doordarshan’s terrestrial signals.

in a letter sent to the BCCi today, Nimbus has demanded that the indian cricket board sort out the encryption issue with Doordarshan. it argues that unless the feed is encrypted, other channels in the region can pick it up and not pay a penny. (more…)