BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 8, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) has won the Caribbean television and radio rights to cover the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies.
CMC through CricketPlus will provide radio broadcasters with "live" ball-by-ball coverage of 36 matches, including all involving the West Indies, the semifinals, and the Final.
For television, broadcasters throughout the region will have access to "live" pictures from all matches, and a daily highlights and discussion programme -- At The Wicket.
The CMC has also acquired access rights to provide clips for news on its Carib Vision satellite channel.
"In this very competitive environment, this is truly a huge achievement for CMC," remarked Errol Clarke, CMC's chief operations officer.
"We are delighted that the Global Cricket Corporation had enough confidence in the CMC to give us another opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the International Cricket Council.
"CMC has previously held Caribbean broadcast rights for the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Champions' Trophy, the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, the ICC Super Series, and the ICC Cricket World programme."
Clarke added that CMC has long recognised that cricket holds a special place in the hearts of most West Indians and the deal would further show the organization's commitment to the game.
"The ICC CWC 2007 is the crown jewel of the CMC's acquisition of marquee sports properties for the simple reason that the tournament is being played in the Caribbean," he said.
"In much the same way the local organising committees are stepping up to stage this global event, the CMC is making every effort to ensure quality coverage for viewers and listeners.
"A lot of people are working tirelessly right now to ensure that everything is in place to host 'the best World Cup ever', and if they achieve their goals, it is important for people of the region to see another shining example of Caribbean excellence."
Ian Frykberg, managing director of the Global Cricket Corporation, said: "It is fitting that a Caribbean company has secured the rights against rivals from overseas.
"This is going to be a fantastic event for the people of the Caribbean, and we look forward to working closely with the CMC."
Eight countries -- Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago -- throughout the region will stages matches in the ICC CWC 2007.
In addition, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, along with Jamaica, T and T, and Barbados will host warm-up matches for the event.
West Indies will contest Group-D in the first round of the tournament at Jamaica's Sabina Park, alongside Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland.
The Opening Ceremony will be staged on March 11 at the new Greenfield Stadium in Trelawney, Jamaica, and the Final will be contested on April 28 at the redeveloped Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
CMC has also acquired the Caribbean television and radio rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 to be staged in October/November in India.
West Indies are the defending champions of that competition.
CMC are also the Caribbean broadcast rights holders for three other major sports properties -- the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the IAAF World Championship.
For more information, please visit www.cananews.com
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