In less than a week’s time, the world’s top eight ODI teams be playing across three venues in England and Wales and host broadcaster and ICC global media rights partner STAR Sports is gearing up its production to make sure the people in close to 180 territories, will enjoy an unrivaled spectator experience, all from the comfort of their living rooms.
The event is set to reach an audience of 1.5 billion, thanks to new and extended agreements secured by STAR Sports. This includes the continuance of long-term partnerships with Fox Sports in Australia, BSkyB in the UK, Sky TV in New Zealand, SuperSport in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa and Pehla in the Middle East and North Africa. It also includes the groundbreaking partnership with ESPN in the US and Caribbean and the continued coverage of the ICC events on terrestrial television in Pakistan via PTV, Bangladesh via BTV and Sri Lanka via CSN.
Following on from the world class production of the ICC World Twenty20 last year, STAR Sports will once again produce High Definition (HD) broadcast coverage using 29 cameras, including Spydercam, enhanced Hawkeye cameras, Hot Spot and Ultra Motion cameras.
There is an array of on-air enhancements, including the first ever broadcast of an ICC event in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, and compelling graphic presentation to accompany the insightful and trusted voices of its expert group of commentators.
The live world feed broadcast will feature 16 commentators and legends of the game from the leading participating countries. These include Michael Atherton, Michael Holding, Nasser Hussain, Shane Warne, David Lloyd, Pommie Mbangwa, Ramiz Raja, Russell Arnold, Sanjay Manjrekar, Simon Doull, Sourav Ganguly, Sunil Gavaskar, Tom Moody, Wasim Akram, Alan Wilkins and Harsha Bhogle.
Commenting on his involvement in the tournament, Hussain said: “I’m really looking forward to being part of the Star Sports commentary team for the ICC Champions Trophy for what I’m sure will be top class coverage of the event. It’s great to have the best eight teams in the world here in England and Wales. The atmosphere will be electric.”
Meanwhile, Atherton added: “The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the best events in cricket. Every game matters and they’ll be played in front of big crowds in the UK. All the teams have a chance of winning – it’s absolutely wide open. I can’t wait to join the Star Sports team”.
David Richardson, ICC Chief Executive, said: “The ICC Champions Trophy 2013 will showcase the best teams in the world and to complement the on-field action, ICC and STAR Sports will ensure the best possible coverage to the widest audience ever for an international 50-over event.
“For those people around the world who can’t be in England and Wales in person this June, STAR Sports’ distribution efforts have ensured that 1.5 billion people across the globe can view every single ODI of the tournament from the comfort of their own home.”
Nitin Kukreja, STAR Sports, said, “The ICC Champions Trophy is a true test of cricketing excellence with the top eight ODI teams going head to head to be crowned – Champions.
“Star Sports will leave no stone unturned to bring this spectacle live to all our viewers across the world in a manner befitting the stature of this marquee property.
“Star Sports is working with the International Cricket Council to deliver a world-class production for viewers worldwide. With a range of special programming, on-air enhancements, brand new camera angles, state-of-the-art graphics along with a high quality team of analysts comprising some of the great names of international cricket Star Sports intends to take fan engagement to levels not seen before by redefining the way international cricket has been showcased till date.”