WICB signs new distribution deal with Ten Sports

Ten Sports will show the events on their channels in the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East and South East Asia and will distribute the events worldwide with the exception of the UK and Ireland, where Sky Sports has the rights, and in the Caribbean.

The President of the WICB, the Honourable Dr. Julian R. Hunte, in announcing the partnership with Ten Sports, said, "This deal with Ten Sports will give us the financial resources we need to support our strategic plan, the main goal of which is that West Indies cricket will regain its place at the pinnacle of world cricket by 2012. The platform on which we will build the future is cricket development at all levels and in all the countries of the Caribbean."

The CEO of Ten Sports, Chris McDonald commented, "We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the West Indies Cricket Board for another 5 years. We have been broadcasting the excitement, style and panache of cricket from the West Indies throughout Asia since 2003, and are very pleased to now work with the WICB on a global basis. The West Indian team has many young and talented players, and we are confident that with the investments made into coaching, venues and grassroots infrastructure, the West Indies is poised to reclaim its place as one of the World's top cricketing sides."

West Indies CEO, Dr. Donald Peters, who was directly involved in the negotiations with Ten Sports and other bidders said, "We at the WICB are elated at having a major outlet for our exciting brand of cricket in the huge markets in the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent. This opens up more lucrative opportunities for our players and for our cricket in general. Ten Sports is the perfect partner for us as we continue our climb back to the top and become, once more, a dominant cricket force."

The tours included in the agreement include visits by India in 2009 and 2012, by Pakistan in 2011, England's tour to the West Indies in 2009, Australia's tour in 2012 and South Africa's tour in 2010.

In total Ten Sports will broadcast 25 test matches, 50 one day games and nine 20-20 games between 2008 and 2012 (a total of 184 days), including the upcoming 2008 tour by Australia to the West Indies, which was part of a previous agreement between the parties.

Ten Sports currently holds the Middle East and Asian broadcast rights to 5 of the 10 ICC full member boards and is now involved in the worldwide distribution of rights from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies.