News Broadcasting
DirecTV adds Bangladesh to its ESS cricket package
MUMBAI: A month after News Corp controlled digital television platform DirecTV launched its CricketTicket subscription package targeting South Asian expats in the US, it has added some Bangladeshi spice to its menu.
DirecTV announced on Wednesday that it has acquired exclusive broadcast rights for all international cricket matches to be played in Bangladesh till 2008.
The Bangladesh deal makes the cricket licensing agreements DirecTV has the same as what ESPN Star Sports has in India. DirecTV had already completed licensing agreements with the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB), the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZCB) and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU), which gives it access to all international cricket being played in those countries over the next four years. CricketTicket, which is the first-ever season-long subscription TV package for international cricket in the US, was launched last month.
As had been reported last month by indiantelevision.com, four Star channels – Star Plus, Star One, Star News and Star Vijay – launched in the US on 2 November on DirecTV.
The cricket matches from Bangladesh will be available to all CricketTicket customers at no extra charge. DirecTV’s CricketTicket package, which runs till March 2005, is available for $199.
As a special promotion valid till 31 December, customers can get the first season of CricketTicket for free with a one-year commitment to any South Asian package, DirecTV customers could also purchase the Indian tour of Bangladesh a la carte for $99.99.
DirecTV Intl VP Aaron McNally said, “We are delighted to add the Bangladesh national team to our roster of cricket nations for which we’ve acquired host match broadcast rights. This is an unprecedented offer for cricket fans and we are excited to begin the broadcast with the Indian tour, which is certain to attract wide viewership among our South Asian customers and cricket enthusiasts throughout the US.”
Last year News Corp had taken a 34 per cent stake in DirecTV through its subsidiary The Fox Entertainment Group.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
