Windies’ big deal

Fri, November 02, 2012 - 12:02 AM

West Indies’ cricket is back in demand and one of India’s top sports broadcasters, Taj Television Limited, has come to the crease for a long partnership.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) yesterday announced that Taj TV has acquired television broadcast rights for West Indies cricket for the next seven years, starting in January 2013.

But because of the confidentiality clauses of the deal, the parties have agreed not to publicly disclose the monetary value of the contract.

Taj TV has acquired global television broadcast rights – but not the terrestrial broadcast rights within the Caribbean – along with production rights.

As part of the deal, the company will be providing the television production for free-to-air stations throughout the Caribbean “for the benefit of West Indies cricket fans”.

Taj TV will be showcasing 253 days of international cricket as part of the new rights deal.

“The West Indies team has just won the ICC World Twenty20 and the diverse cricket world, who hold our team in high esteem will have added demand to see them play in the ensuing years,” WICB president Julian Hunte said.

“We are therefore pleased that we have secured this arrangement with this globally reputable company to distribute the media rights to allow fans around the world to see our champion team live and in living colour as they make further strides in world cricket,” added Hunte.

Atul Pande, chief executive of Taj TV’s Ten Sports channel, said that the deal underscores their commitment to building their 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,” he said.

The company operates five sports channels and also has cricket rights for Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. (EZS)