YouTube to live stream IPL cricket

MUMBAI, INDIA: The IPL has tied up with Google's popular video sharing channel YouTube to beam all DLF Indian Premier League matches in 2010.

Announcing this tie-up with the Indian Premier League and its licensing partner Global Cricket Ventures here today, Google India said the agreement will enable it to live stream all the action from latest season on a dedicated IPL channel on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ipl.

Under the terms of this agreement, Google will have exclusive online rights for IPL content for two years and both Google and IPL will jointly share revenues from sponsorships and advertising on www.youtube.com/ipl and on www.iplt20.com (the official website of IPL).

This is the first time Google is live streaming a mega cricket tournament, spanning 60 matches over 45 days, for a major global sport on YouTube, said Google while making the announcement.

This partnership also marks a first-of-its-kind innovation in live streaming of any global cricketing event providing boundary-less access to the billions of fans across the world, except in USA where re-broadcast options will be available, it added.

Those who watch IPL matches live on YouTube will also get a special treat - an exclusive “YouTube View” that will provide viewers with an alternative view of the match not available on television or any other media, it added.

“We are thrilled to have the IPL as our global partner and bring to the YouTube community around the world and here in India an interactive, unique experience building greater awareness around the world for the sport,” said Shailesh Rao, managing director, Google India and Media and Platforms, Asia Pacific.

Lalit Modi, chairman and commissioner, Indian Premier League said this initiative by IPL to partner Google India will give the league a global reach on a single distribution platform.

“This will allow IPL fans anywhere in the world to view the action on-demand as per their convenience, thus making the new dedicated IPL channel on YouTube the biggest virtual stadium in the world,” he said. “I am certain that this new innovation will significantly enrich the user experience of the global cricket fan with a direct window to the on-field action through generation next technologies.”

In addition to live streaming of matches on YouTube, Google will also host a special IPL branded Orkut Community which will host live chats with Man of the Match, team owners, contests and match polls to engage fans and audiences while the tournament is on, the release added.