In a new deal announced today, ITV has secured the UK broadcast rights to the 2010 Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket competition, to be shown exclusively on ITV4.
 
The deal, for the third season of IPL, will see ITV4 broadcast 59 live, free to air, matches over the 45 day season, beginning on Friday March 12th.  Live coverage, produced by ITV Sport, will be presented by Matt Smith alongside Bollywood actress and presenter Mandira Bedi, who hosted Cricket World Cup coverage in India. They will be joined by renowned analyst Simon Hughes, with more guest experts to be announced.
 
From a standing start in 2008 the IPL has become one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world, last year capturing a worldwide audience of 450 million in only its second year, broadcasting across all continents including Australia, U.S.A and across the Middle East. This year’s season will again take place in India following last year’s tournament being hosted in South Africa where Deccan Chargers triumphed, captained by Adam Gilchrist.
 
Playing Twenty20 cricket, eight teams compete with the 2010 season again seeing the participation of some of the world’s greatest players including Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, Jacques Kallis and Chris Gayle. English players participating in this season’s tournament include Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah.
 
The IPL will have a bespoke section of the ITV.com website.   The tournament will be supported by a prominent marketing campaign on ITV. 
 
Announcing the deal, ITV’s Director of Digital Channels and Acquisitions, Zai Bennett said: “In only two years, the Indian Premier League has already established itself as one of the world’s most high profile and exciting sports events which attracts some of the very best cricketers from around the globe.  It’s an exciting acquisition for one of the UK’s fastest growing digital channels and we’re delighted to be able to offer the whole tournament free-to-air to our viewers.”
 
Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner of the IPL said: “This is a hugely significant deal for the IPL. It is a truly global competition unlike any other, ideally suited to the British passion for both cricket and entertainment. As such, we are delighted that ITV have recognised the game’s appeal and that the glorious spectacle of every game will be available in full, free to air, throughout the UK.”  
 
ITV4 is part of the UK’s most popular family of digital channels, and ranked as the tenth most watched multichannel over 2009.  It is available free-to-air on all platforms including Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin.
 
ITV4 has a strong reputation as a destination for premium sport with a portfolio that includes the Indian Premier League, The FA Cup, Europa League, Tour de France, Guinness Premiership Rugby, British Touring Cars and Isle of Man TT.

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