Star launches Star Cricket

ESPN-STAR announces launch of a dedicated cricket only channel

NEW DELHI: ESPN STAR, Asia's premier sports broadcaster, on Tuesday announced the launch of a dedicated cricket channel for audiences in the Indian subcontinent. The new channel, christened STAR Cricket, will commence transmission in June 2007. STAR Cricket will be the 15th network launched by ESPN STAR in the Asia Pacific region.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, R.C. Venkatesh, said, "The launch of STAR Cricket is part of our long term strategy to further strengthen our offering to the sports fans in the country. STAR Cricket will showcase live India and non-India cricket for the passionate Indian cricket fan.

"We plan to add quality first class cricket coverage from around the globe as well. The channel will also showcase feature programming on cricket including reality shows, archival programming and magazine shows. STAR Cricket will be the one stop destination of all the cricket action, history, updates, views and reviews."


With star bagging the global ICC media rights, something was expected, but not a new channel. Exactly whats the purpose of espn and star as channels now. What is being shown there now that is really attractive. they lost wwe, no cricket there now and tour de france is coming on ten sports. Leaves some tennis and EPL.

New channel means we have to pay now for this also. More trouble in offing.

Btw the India England series is gonna come live on this new channel.(and i can't find it on my tv just yet)(.. enjoy

i was about to post this but safin beat me to it.

now immediate outsome i see is a fallout between cableoperators and star group so that we may even see blacking out of those channels too fro the time being taking off with it F1, Tennis.

even i was wondering what was the need of cricket for that matter, may be they are unbundeling all the channels right now ESPN-STAR are a combined package and they may create value by unbundling them all together so that people get choice what they want.

BTE the natwest series of seven ODIs between India and England is to be telecast live on ESPN.

One better point could be if cable operators chose to air all the three channels then we may get choice of what to see when 20-20 world cup is held so that we can avoid Indian debalces and watch exciting matches.

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medpal's Signature:

medic on call!!

doc where is your optimists hat

ok i am not exactly thinking of India doing anything in 20/20 either but maybe not a debacle


Well about the channel, isn't this normal. I mean every time a channel bags a new series right, they 1) hike rates. 2) start new pay channels 3) cable ops ban them and 4) we miss the first match all over India 5) We have a discussion on cricket in the Indian parliament

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Safin's Signature:


"You force me to do terrible things that...I enjoy doing anyway!"