DISH-ing Cricket World Cup in HiDef

DISH-ing Cricket World Cup in HiDef

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be delivered in HiDef PPV for the first time to DISH Network customers, as well as via a myriad of mobile devices, starting Saturday (Feb. 19) and running through April 2.

Early bird tournament price (until Saturday) is $129, and then $149 thereafter.

The ICC Cricket World Cup, held every four years, will be co-hosted in the sub-continent by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, and features a 14-nation pool competing for the title. The event opens with Bangladesh playing India on Saturday and will conclude with the championship match in Mumbai on April 2.

In addition to offering the games on HiDef pay-per-view, DISH will also distribute the Cricket World Cup in standard-def through its recently launched IPTV service, DISH World, which allows customers to access DISH Network programming without the need for a satellite dish. Matches are available on a live and delay basis, plus, customers have access to highlights of the day’s matches, broadcast immediately following the full replay of the match. Customers may also record the matches with DISH’s DVR.

In addition, DISH Network customers with a broadband-connected, Sling-enabled receiver have the ability to watch every match on compatible 3G and WiFi-enabled phones, laptops or tablets, including the iPhone® and iPod touch, iPad, Android smartphones and tablets, Windows and Mac Computers, and select BlackBerry devices.

“DISH Network leads the industry with 72 South Asian channels, and we are proud to again bring the Cricket World Cup to our viewers – this year in high definition – and that our broadband-connected, Sling-enabled customers have the ability to watch it live on a variety of mobile devices,” said Chris Kuelling, vice president of International Programming for DISH Network.

— By Scott Hettrick