MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks sports entertainment channel Sony SIX has bagged the exclusive broadcasting rights to the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in six countries. The CPL will commence on 30 June and culminate on 8 August 2016 and will broadcast live on Sony SIX in the Indian sub-continent comprising of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives. The network has also acquired the digital rights for the tournament and will live stream the matches on Sony LIV.
The tournament will be held across six venues in the Caribbean, and for the first time six fixtures will be played in Lauderhill, Florida, USA. The tournament will have six teams all teams battling it out in an initial group stage format before progressing to knock out matches.
SPN president of Distribution & Sports Business Rajesh Kaul said, “India has always been receptive to the dynamic format of T20 cricket and we are excited to broadcast the CPL for the third consecutive time. CPL showcases some of the biggest talent on the cricketing stage and promises to be a treat for the cricket fans in India. Furthermore, fans can catch the action on-the-go on our digital platform, Sony LIV.”
CPL COO Pete Russell added, “We are delighted to continue our Broadcast partnership with Sony SIX which will enable millions of supporters of CPL across the Indian sub-continent to follow the biggest party in sport. Indian followers are huge supporters of CPL and there will no doubt be keen interest in the fortunes of players who have graced the IPL with distinction for many years; including the likes of AB de Villiers, Brendon McCullum, Shakib Al Hasan, Dale Steyn, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine amongst many others. In addition, there will be further intriguing sub-plots involving the Barbados Tridents under the stewardship of Dr Vijay Mallya aiming to win back the title they last won in 2014, coming up against the Shah Rukh Khan owned Trinbago Knight Riders. It promises to be our biggest and best CPL yet and we’re delighted so many fans will be able to join us across Asia.”
This year the participating teams include Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinbago Knight Riders, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St Lucia Zouks and St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots..
The opening match of the league will see defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders take on the St. Lucia Zouks on 30 June at 6:30 AM (IST). The weekends will allow fans to watch some of the matches on primetime hours – 9:30 PM (IST).
Building on the success of the recently concluded IPL, SPN is aiming at bringing the flair from the home of the current World T20 Champions, West Indies, to viewers of the Indian subcontinent through another fast-paced domestic league.
