IPL 2010 inks deal with ITV for broadcast across network

The Indian Premier League (IPL), one of world's biggest sports league as per Forbes, announced that IPL 2010 would be broadcast in its entirety in the UK in an exclusive deal with ITV. This landmark deal will mark the first time live cricket will be shown across the ITV network, the oldest and largest commercial television network in the UK.

The deal for IPL 2010 - the League's third season – will result in 60 matches broadcast live across the ITV network over the 45-day season, beginning on Friday, March 12. The IPL matches will be simulcast on ITV.com and ITV Mobile. Highlights clips will also be available as part of a bespoke section of ITV.com. The tournament will be the subject of a prominent marketing campaign on ITV.

From a standing start in 2008, IPL has become one of the best sporting innovations in global sport in recent time. Broadcast over all continents including Australia, the US and the Middle East, the IPL last year captured a worldwide audience of 450 million in only its second year. IPL 2010 is now set to take place on home ground in India following after being shifted to South Africa, where the Deccan Chargers, captained by Adam Gilchrist, triumphed.

IPL 2010 will feature eight teams playing Twenty20 cricket, compete in a unique cricketing carnival unlike any other, and will see the participation of some of the world’s greatest players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Warne, Jacques Kallis and Chris Gayle.

Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner of IPL, said, “This is a hugely significant deal for the IPL, given the large Indian and Asian Diaspora. Cricket has a massive following in the UK and this landmark agreement is fantastic for those fans, for IPL and cricket as a whole. IPL is a truly global competition unlike any other in cricket and is ideally suited to the British passion for both cricket and entertainment. We are delighted that ITV has recognised the game’s appeal and are certain that it will pull out all the stops in ensuring that our fans have access to creative, innovative and enriching content that will be available in full, free to air, throughout the UK.”

IPL 2010 will of kick-off on March 12, 2010 with some high voltage action expected between defending champion the Deccan Chargers and the Kolkata Knight Riders at the DY Patil Stadium at Navi Mumbai. IPL 2010 will be played over 45 days across India and will feature a grand total of 60 games, with the addition of a third place play-off.

The League will also see the addition of four new home venues in the form of Cuttack and Nagpur for the Deccan Chargers, Ahmedabad for the Rajasthan Royals and Dharamsala for Kings XI Punjab.