YouTube’s signed a deal with the Indian Premier League to broadcast all Twenty20 cricket matches around the world for free. It’s not the most thrilling of news, but it’s a healthy step away from being associated with live-streaming U2 concerts.
Not only will viewers be able to watch all 60 matches live, but they’ll also be able to change camera positions, freeze and fast-forward the slow bits (presumably if they’re not watching it live). All of the best HOWZAT! moments will be saved in archives for replaying later, and, of course, it will be ad-funded, with revenues shared between Google and the IPL.
I’m not a cricket fan, so am not sure if the Indian Premier League makes for particularly gripping television, but presumably with this new feather in their cap, YouTube will be able to use it as leverage for attracting even bigger sporting events – maybe next year’s Super Bowl? [Telegraph]
Image Credit: SJ Jagadeesh
Glenn Fairbairn
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 9:23 AMThis is great news for all of Australia, and not-so-great-news for Foxtel. FYI, Twenty20 actually has more action than baseball.
maddogeco
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 9:54 AMwill it be in 1080? and will it be unmetered
im very doubtful on the unmetered bit
nicwa
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 11:35 AMI think it’s a pretty safe bet the IPL has more cumulative viewers than the Superbowl. It’s not American, but…
Zer0
Friday, January 22, 2010 at 2:41 PMThis is great news. Watching the first season, delayed, from India was terrible on TV. The only way to get it live was from people who’d set up their own dodgy streams which were no doubt illegal. The last year wasn’t so bad, but being abe to watch it on YouTube is awesome..