MUMBAI: Taj TV has reached an agreement with US pay TV platform DirecTV to produce its new Cricket Plus Channel which goes on air later this month.
Taj TV operates the channel Ten Sports in India.
The 24 hour cricket channel has rights to all ICC competitions for the North American territory as well as cricket from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
DirecTV will broadcast matches live, on a pay-per-view basis, while Cricket Plus will show delayed coverage of matches as well as broadcasting same day highlights.
Along with the cricket coverage the channel will also broadcast daily sports news bulletins as well as other sports relating to the South Asian community living in the U.S. such as hockey. Cricket Plus has acquired the rights to broadcast live all the major international hockey events including the men’s and women’s world cups and the Champions Trophies.
DirecTV VP international programming Aaron McNally says, “Cricket Plus is an exciting new addition to our cricket programming lineup and we believe it will attract a large and loyal following among DirecTV customers. With its 24-hour, in-depth coverage, this is the perfect channel for cricket lovers and we’re pleased to be the exclusive provider of Cricket Plus in the United States.”
The Dubai based Taj TV says that it already has experience in running some of the best known sports channels for a variety of clients through its Dubai Media City operation, currently handling Ten Sports Middle East, Ten Sports India, Ten Sports Pakistan, ART Prime Sport, Showtime Sportsnet, Showtime Sportsnet America and Citrus TV.
Taj Television CEO Chris McDonald said, “Taj TV is delighted to have entered into this agreement with DirecTV. With the expertise within our organisation working on Cricket Plus, the US market is assured of a first class cricket channel.”
