MUMBAI: Test cricket, which has been fast losing its popularity to the shorter version of the game, is going to experiment with the day and night format to attract prime time television audience.

In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Committee has agreed to maintain the impetus with regard to day and night Test cricket and recommended that should the competing countries in a bi-lateral series agree that they wish to try this out, this request should be accommodated.

The Committee also agreed that the trials at domestic level should continue.

Market research has recognised that the appeal of day and night Test cricket might be better suited to certain markets, particularly India, New Zealand and South Africa, and the trials revealed certain cricket balls retained their colour and performed better than others.

The ICC Cricket Committee had earlier received reports of the ongoing trials and considered the reports involving the development and feasibility of using different colour balls in multi-day formats in day and night conditions. They also considered a report from John Stephenson of the MCC on the experiences of their annual games in Abu Dhabi, reports from Australia, England and Pakistan as well as spectator feedback.

The encouraging change over the late years is that the value of Test cricket has fallen at a time when the level of competitiveness has intensified and matches have started yielding more results.

Statistics from David Kendix demonstrate that over-rates are at their highest in five years in Test cricket and that the average frequency of no-balls has dropped sharply. There is also a reduction in high scoring draws and that spin bowlers are being deployed more often in all forms of the game.

Kendix, who supplied these statistics to the Committee, also highlights that Test cricket is as competitive now as it has been for many years with five teams being separated by only eight rating points.

The committee, thus, feels that there is a need now, through the Targeted Assistance Performance Programme (TAPP) and the Future Tours Programme (FTP), to improve the competitiveness of some of the lesser performing countries.

Twenty20 strategy: With the popularity of this format of the game fast rising, the ICC Cricket Committee feels that it is wise to let the status quo prevail.

The ICC Cricket Committee supports the World Twenty20 being held every two years; the World Twenty20s should continue to be joint men?s and women?s events; and World Twenty20 should be 16 men?s team event from 2014 in order to encourage the development of the game.

The Committee does not think there is need to have an ICC World U19 Twenty20.

The Committee?s views are, thus, in line with those of the ICC Board and the Chief Executive Council?s which have already agreed that the ICC World Twenty20 would remain a joint men?s and women?s event and that the men?s teams should increase from 12 to 16 teams from 2014 onwards.

International cricket, being the lifeblood of the world game, needs the ICC to play a leadership role to protect and promote international cricket. Recognising this, the committee believes that the ICC and its member boards need to proactively ensure that the attraction of international cricket is primary and not only maintained but enhanced.

MUMBAI: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced a record-breaking collection of rights holding broadcasters to screen the Paralympic Games across the globe this summer.

Combining with the previous announcements of exposure in the UK through Channel 4 and China?s largest national broadcasting network CCTV, the total worldwide broadcast deals will see a record ?10 million in revenue generated from the sale of broadcast rights to the Paralympic Games - greater than for any previous Games.

The local organising committee has stitched deals with European Broadcasting Union (EBU), NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Globo TV in Brazil, Australia?s public broadcaster ABC, Italian digital subscription channel Sky Italia, Korea public service broadcaster KBS (Korean roadcasting System) and Thailand Pool TV representing a pool of well established broadcasters in Thailand.

Host broadcaster services are being provided by OBS, providing viewers around the world with unbiased live action in high definition. Minimum broadcast commitments have been matched or exceeded in all cases with hundreds of hours of Paralympic sport to be broadcast right across the world.

LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe said: ?As the world?s second biggest multi-sport event, all eyes will be focussed on the Paralympic Games in London in 2012. Beyond how the commercial value of this package has raised the bar financially for the Paralympic movement, the fantastic broadcast coverage we have agreed will help us take advantage of this opportunity to inspire disabled people of all ages to take up sport and be a catalyst for continued change in public attitudes towards disability.?

MUMBAI: Viacom18 has appointed Sameer Goswami as VP and head of business operations, North America.

Goswami will be responsible for managing and expanding the company?s broadcast operations across the continent.

Goswami joins from Vision Asia ? Australia and New Zealand, where he was the CEO and has played a key role in revitalising the company. He will report to Viacom18 head - distribution and International Business and Sun18 COO- North Gaurav Gandhi.

Gandhi said, ?We are delighted to have Sameer join our team. I am confident that Sameer?s valuable experience in media and broadcast and his entrepreneurial mindset will be a great asset in growing Aapka Colors business in North America?

On his new role Goswami added, "In my new role, I am looking forward to working with this talented group of enthusiasts and applying my knowledge and experience to help in the growth of the network?s business in North America.?

Goswami comes in with experience across diverse International markets in advertising, FMCG marketing and entertainment industries.

Prior to joining Vision Asia, he has also worked with ConAgra Foods, Hungama.com, Leo Burnett and Lintas India.

MUMBAI: Fox Soccer, America?s premier soccer destination, has announced the renewal of exclusive media rights for Australasia?s topflight soccer league, the Hyundai A-League, in an agreement brokered by World Sport Group.

The rights include coverage of 31 exclusive regular season and Finals Series matches on Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer Plus, the brand?s 24/7 premium subscription network, through the 2015 season. In addition to live and delayed match coverage, the renewal includes Hyundai A-League Highlights, a weekly 30-minute show discussing results, storylines and memorable events from weekly matches.

?We are very excited to renew the Hyundai A-League for three more seasons. Fox Soccer viewers are fans of the global game, and this renewal ensures continued coverage of one of the sport?s fastest developing leagues and talent pools," said Fox Soccer VP Programming and Acquisitions Joshua Glassel.

?The Hyundai A-League has produced the highest technical standard of play this season, delivered first-class live TV entertainment and fantastic in-stadium atmosphere with average crowds above 10,000,? said Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley.

?The extension of the FOX Soccer agreement shows the growing stature of a competition that?s on the move. We?re delighted that North American audiences can see the Hyundai A-League live and exclusively on a major channel.?

Bounded in 2005, the Hyundai A-League is a collection of 10 top-division teams from Australia and New Zealand competing annually from October through April. The top six teams at the end of the regular season are entered into the Finals Series, culminating in the Hyundai A-League Grand Final to crown the league champion.

The Hyundai A-League sends three teams each season to the AFC Champions League, Asia?s premier club competition.