ESS, Eurosport in Twenty20 Deal

SINGAPORE: ESPN STAR Sports has granted Eurosport the rights to air the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament in the U.K. and across Europe.

Eurosport has secured the on-air and online rights to the event, which features the top Twenty20 teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India and the West Indies, for a three-year period. The tournament will take place this year in South Africa from September 10 to 26 and will consist of 23 matches. ESPN STAR Sports is the global television production partner and exclusive commercial rights partner for the Champions League T20 till 2018.

Manu Sawhney, ESPN STAR Sports’ managing director, said in announcing the deal: “We are very pleased to have such an enthusiastic partner in the Eurosport Group, especially with their innovative efforts to showcase this event online in addition to broadcasting it on-air. As the World Championship of top T20 teams from various countries, the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 continues to enjoy a strong following across Europe and we’re committed to further build on that popularity along with the Eurosport Group.”

Arnaud Simon, broadcast director of Eurosport and Eurosport 2, said: “We are thrilled to bring fans all the excitement of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament for the next three years. This fast-paced event will be showcased on British Eurosport in the U.K. and on Eurosport 2 throughout the rest of Europe. We are confident that Eurosport’s top-notch pan-European coverage will attract new enthusiasts to the already popular tournament.”

David Kerr, director of British Eurosport, added: “As a new, emerging international tournament the Champions League Twenty20 fits perfectly with British Eurosport’s portfolio of events. The event boasts excellent production values, dramatic matches and the best international teams so I am positive this is an event that will grow in importance and profile in the coming years and we are excited about being part of that evolution.”