Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Television coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 is set to break all previous ICC events’ broadcast records, organizers said.
That coverage, produced and distributed by the ICC’s global media rights partner and host broadcaster, Star Sports, will have a potential reach of more than 1.8 billion viewers with live pictures shown by 29 broadcasters – both figures the highest ever for an ICC event.
And it will be shown in more than 20 languages with pictures going across Europe via Eurosport and as far afield as Norway, Nepal, Afghanistan and the Pacific Islands.
The production will be among the most sophisticated ever too, with 28 cameras, including seven ultra-motion cameras, Spidercam as well as graphics with key analytics, all of which will take the viewer right to the heart of the action.
All 35 matches in the men’s tournament, plus all four of the warm-up matches in Mirpur, will be covered, as well as both semi-finals and the final of the women’s event.
And a host of legends of the game and experienced broadcasters will be on hand, with Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Shaun Pollock, Ian Bishop, Sourav Ganguly, Shane Warne, Rameez Raja, Wasim Akram, Russel Arnold, Nick Knight, Nasser Hussain, Harsha Bhogle, Jonty Rhodes, Pommie Mbangwa, Athar Ali Khan, Danny Morrison, Alan Wilkins, Brian Murgatroyd, Isa Guha, Alison Mitchell and Melanie Jones on hand to analyse every moment.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “We are delighted that more than a quarter of the world’s population will have access to live coverage from the World Twenty20 2014, thanks to ICC’s broadcast partners.
“In addition to the expanded broadcast footprint, an enhanced production coverage and a world-class commentary team will provide for an excellent viewing experience for fans across the world.”
Nitin Kukreja of Star Sports, said: “We are excited to bring to global cricket fans the fifth edition of the ICC World Twenty20. We remain committed to ever-enriching the viewing experience. This year’s edition will include innovations like LED stumps, increased focus on analytics and contextual graphics. The broadcast will go to 223 territories across the globe and will also be available on starsports.com in certain countries.”
There will also be extensive radio coverage of the ICC World Twenty20. In Bangladesh, coverage will be provided by Betar Bangladesh and Radio Bhoomi. Outside of host country, the event will have radio coverage from Channel 2 (Middle East & North America), All India Radio (India) BBC (UK), SABC (South Africa), Sport Radio (New Zealand), 107 FM (Pakistan), Voice of Asia (Sri Lanka), Klass (Jamaica) and GML Radio (Trinidad). Channel 2 will also do live commentary on the internet via Cricket Radio.
The ICC has also tied up with news access agencies SNTV, Perform and Thomson Reuters to provide news broadcasters around the world with 90-second match highlights, subject to these highlights being used in bonafide news programmes within 24 hours of end of the relevant match, for editorial purposes only.
BBN/SSR/AD-14Mar14-5:24 pm (BST)