Ten Sports renews deal with WICB; extends it to mobile and online

The contract with West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is valid for seven years starting from January, 2013 and has come with global television broadcast rights, unlike last time. The sports channel has also extended this deal to the mobile and online platforms.

With over 100 cricket matches and 253 days of cricket-based entertainment, Zee Entertainment Enterprises' sports channel, Ten Sports has inked the renewal contract with the West Indies Cricket Board for the next seven years for an undisclosed amount.

Atul Pande, chief executive officer, Ten Sports, says,
"We are extremely delighted to extend our association with the West Indies Cricket Board. This deal underscores our commitment to build our cricket business in the subcontinent and globally. The recent upsurge in the West Indies Team quality further reinforces our view about our relationship with West Indies cricket going forward."

The sports channel has acquired the global television broadcast rights and plans to extend it to multiple platforms like online and mobile.

It will also provide the content to the channels in the West Indies, where it has been denied the terrestrial rights for the broadcast.

Dr Julian Hunte, president, West Indies Cricket Board adds that the board was extremely delighted to continue its long standing association with Taj Television that has been the board's media rights partner earlier and with whom it has a solid and mutually beneficial relationship.

Ten Sports had renewed its deal with the WICB for four years in 2008 and showcased the events on its channels in the Indian sub-continent, West Asia and Southeast Asia.

The Caribbean nation will take on Zimbabwe in its first endeavour after this recent renewal deal and will be followed by two stints with India and other cricketing nations later in the future.

Ten Sports has five contracts with the cricket boards of Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and West Indies. In football, the same channel holds the rights for UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, French League 1 and I League. Ten will also showcase the best of golf action from the European Tour, Asian Tour and PGTI.