ESPN has entered into a partnership with the International Cricket Council that will grant the international sports broadcaster digital rights in the UK and Ireland to ICC events over the next four years.
The deal, effective immediately, runs until the end of 2019 and will see ESPN platforms offer online highlights packages from some of cricket’s flagship tournaments.
The agreement includes rights to the following events: the U19 Cricket World Cups in 2016 and 2018; this year’s World Twenty20 championship; the Champions Trophy and Women’s World Cup tournaments in 2017; the World Cup Qualifier and Women’s World Twenty20 events in 2018 and the World Cup in 2019.
ESPN will broadcast highlights packages across its websites and mobile applications before, during and after games. Its ESPNcricinfo and ESPN.co.uk websites will incorporate a live match scorecard service, which will feature near-live clips. The ICC will also provide the website with full match highlights lasting up to five minutes, as well as pre- and post-game content.