AN international telecommunications provider is offering cricket enthusiasts in the Caribbean and the United States the chance to watch the Cricket World Cup live on television or computer in the comfort of their homes.

Provider EchoStar and its Dish Network said last week that in addition to live matches, its customers would be able to watch replays, highlights and news.

Michael Kelly, executive vice-president of EchoStar, which has exclusive distribution rights in North America and the Caribbean, said viewers in United States, which has a strong South Asian immigrant community, would be able to watch matches live during the day.

Those who would miss the live action could watch the matches and replays on their computers through a broadband connection, he added.

The offer also provides customers with digital video recorder (DGV) on which they could record matches for later viewing.

Kelly said because of licensing and technological problems, they could not provide subscription on a match-by-match basis.

But those who did not want to see the matches on television could subscribe to watch them on their computer.

Chief executive and managing director of Cricket World Cup (CWC), Chris Dehring, has noted that the United States, with so many citizens with Commonwealth connections, is a major market for the imminent tournament in terms of television audience.

He said the CWC would be a real breakthrough for the ICC in North America, with television audiences expected to reach record levels.

North America is second only to the multi-billion dollar Indian market, in terms of television audience. (PS)