TORONTO – Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) has scooped up the Canadian broadcast rights for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, while wireless upstart Mobilicity will provide direct links to match scores on customers’ mobile phones.
The Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket, organised every four years by the sport’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC). As the world’s third largest sports event, exceeded only by the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics, it will be televised in over 220 countries to more than 2.2 billion viewers.
"We are again delighted to take the lead in bringing this extraordinary World Cup Cricket to Canada, especially since the top fourteen national teams of the world will participate," said ATN president and CEO, Dr. Shan Chandrasekar, in the announcement.
ATN will distribute the matches live on cable, satellite, IPTV and mobile.
In addition to providing fans with direct on-line access to the latest scores via ESPN and Cricbuzz, Mobilicity will also add cricket wallpapers to its content portal beginning February 9. The portal, which includes both multicultural and mainstream content, enables customers to personalize their phones with a range of ringtones, games and wallpapers.
"Staying on top of the latest ICC Cricket World Cup scores will be a click away on Mobilicity mobile phones," said VP of marketing, Sara Moore, in the announcement. "Whether you’re at work or at home in the middle of the night, having direct mobile access is the most convenient way to follow the standings."
The Cup will be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 through April 2, 2011.
