ESPN signs deal with ICC for digital distribution of on-demand highlights

The agreement, covering the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, will allow ESPN to show in-progress, pre-match and post-match highlights across all ESPN branded websites and mobile apps.

The package includes the digital rights to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 (January 27-February 14), ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 (March 8-April 3), ICC Champions Trophy 2017 (June 1-19), ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 (August 4-27), ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 (January 12-February 4), ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (March 1-April 4), ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2018 (November 2-25) and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (May 30-July 15).

As part of the deal, ESPNcricinfo, the world’s leading cricket website, and leading UK multi-sport website ESPN.co.uk, will feature near-live clips of fours, sixes, wickets and other key moments through ESPN’s live match scorecard service. The in-play content will be complemented by full match highlights, up to five minutes, as well pre and post-event content provided by the ICC.

Charly Classen, Vice President and General Manager, ESPN – Europe, Middle East and Africa, said, “We are extremely proud of our coverage of international and domestic cricket, and are delighted we can expand that coverage with near-live in-match clips and full post-match highlights from the biggest tournaments in the sport. We are thrilled to expand on our longstanding relationship with the International Cricket Council in the UK and Republic of Ireland. With these highlights alongside our ball-by-ball coverage, ESPN will be offering cricket fans the perfect way to follow all of the action from the upcoming ICC World T20 and beyond.”