News UK pads up with ECB clip rights

The England and Wales Cricket Board has entered into a two-year partnership with News UK that will allow the newspaper publishing group to show near live video clips of the England team’s international matches across its digital platforms.

From next month, subscribers to The Sun, The Times and Sunday Times newspapers will be able to see key moments from England games such as wickets, fours and sixes.

Highlights will be available via PC, smartphone or tablet for all England’s home international fixtures over the next two years including tours by Sri Lanka and India this summer and next year’s Ashes series against Australia.

The deal also includes coverage of county cricket matches by pay-television broadcaster BSkyB, with a similar online service available for domestic games shown live on Sky Sports.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: “Achieving increased digital exposure for the sport is a key priority for ECB and this agreement will enable England supporters to follow the team online across all three formats of the international game.”