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…)

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…)

Doordarshan will telecast live all the nine matches in which India is slated to play in the ICC World Cup beginning in March 13, apart from telecast of the Opening match and the semi-finals and final on April 28.

Doordarshan will also telecast a curtain raiser before and after each match, titled Fourth Umpire.

The Opening tie on March 13 between host West Indies and Pakistan will be telecast from Jamaica in a deferred telecast of one hour. The first match featuring India against Bangladesh will be telecast from Trinidad and Tobago on March 17. (more…)

Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is back in the hunt for cricket properties after losing out on the Ten Sports deal and withdrawing from the race for the iCC World Cup 2007 cricket rights.

The firm is believed to have offered to buy 26% in the Nimbus subsidiary, Neo Sports, which operates the two india-focused cricket channels. Sony is believed to have offered Rs 315 crore for the 26%, valuing the fledgling company at over Rs 1,200 crore.

Sources say talks have been on for a month, and the SET board is believed to have approved the acquisition. The Neo Sports board has called for a meeting in the second week of March to consider the deal. (more…)