World Cup promises a TV extravaganza
The start of the Cricket World Cup 2011 is upon us and host broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) is gearing up its production to make sure that the one billion people who tune in from more than 180 territories around the world will enjoy an unrivaled spectator experience all from the comfort of their living rooms.
It won?t be possible for all cricket fans to be in the venues to watch the action first-hand so the next best thing will be ESS?s array of on-air enhancements and compelling graphic presentation to accompany the insightful and trusted voices of its expert group of commentators.
For the first time, production of the ICC Cricket World Cup with be broadcast in the High Definition (HD) format and audiences will enjoy the most riveting experience as each and every match will be covered by at least 27 cameras, including such innovative features as movable slips cameras and new, low 45-degree field cameras.
The live broadcast will feature as many as 30 commentators and legends of the game from the leading participating countries.
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: ?We expect the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 to be the most viewed cricket event in the history of the game. The unique passion and enthusiasm for our great sport in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka will help to make this an event to remember and the biggest sporting event anywhere in the world this year.
?And for those people around the world who can?t be there in person, ESS?s production with an unrivaled array of expert commentators and exciting production initiatives will mean that more than a billion people can view every single game across all 13 venues from the comfort of their own home.?
Manu Sawhney, ESS Managing Director, said: ?With less than 48 hours to go until the most iconic cricket event, we continue to receive a very positive response from our partners globally and from the sub-continent.
The popularity and the significance of the tournament is well reflected in the fact that we have syndicated this event to more than 180 territories across the globe, making it the most widely distributed ICC Cricket World Cup so far.
?The 2011 edition will see many first-of-its-kind initiatives. It will be the very first time that an ICC event will have the Decision Review System (DRS) thus further enhancing the overall presentation of the game. For the very first time, the ICC Cricket World Cup will be shown across platforms in such an extensive manner as online and mobile 3G.
Complementing this is a stellar line-up of cricket legends from various countries who will further augment the viewing experience for fans with their insightful and engaging commentary and expert comments,? he added.
One of those legends, Sunil Gavaskar, is clearly looking forward to the experience.
?The ICC Cricket World Cup promises to be one of the most exciting ever for unlike in the previous years there are many teams who can win the coveted trophy this time. There are also some of the most entertaining players participating in the tournament and it also gives the non-Test playing countries an opportunity to show how good they are,? said Gavaskar.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell added: ?It?s refreshing to ponder a World Cup with several teams that have a realistic chance of lifting the trophy. This should be the most open tournament since the inaugural World Cup.?
Former England captain and fellow commentator Nasser Hussain thinks India is the marginal favourite. He said: ?This should be a fantastic World Cup with the crowds in Asia creating a special atmosphere. India are favourites but there are a few teams that could win it and England are one of them.?
David Lloyd said: ?There are so many fascinating questions to be answered. Can India handle the pressure? Which out of the other teams will be good enough? Can Australia make it four in a row? Is this England?s time at last? I can’t wait to find out the answers!”
ESS will deploy six outside broadcast units ? one each in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and four in India ? with a total production team comprising more than 550 people. This massive logistical undertaking will involve the crews taking more than 2000 flights and will need 13,000 hotel rooms over the duration of the event.
In addition to the television coverage, live online streaming will be visible on websites of most official broadcasters. In mainland Europe, Cricinfo will be streaming all matches live on its website. catering to fans as far flung as Ukraine and Japan, making the ICC CWC visible in over 180 territories.
There will also be extensive radio coverage of the World Cup. In India, national broadcaster All India Radio will be covering 32 matches, while the other two hosts, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be serviced by FM Derana and Bangladesh Betar, respectively.
Outside of the sub-continent the event will have ball by ball commentary from the BBC (UK), SABC (South Africa), Sport Radio (New Zealand), Australia (ABC) and Channel 2 (Middle East). Channel 2 is also doing live commentary on the internet via Cricket Radio.