ITV4 Hits a 4-Year Deal to Secure IPL Season 4

The Times Internet-Nimbus combine that now holds the Indian Premier League (IPL) global internet, mobile and radio rights, along with television rights in certain territories, has signed its first broadcaster to cover its 4th season with Britain’s ITV.

A new four-year deal has been agreed with Nimbus Communications for the UK broadcast rights to the IPL on the network’s ITV4 digital channel having shown coverage of last year’s campaign in 2010. 

While the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, it is worth noting that when IPL debuted on ITV4 last year in a deal brokered by then rights holder World Sport Group, it was via as a 50:50 revenue share arrangement.

Under the new agreement, live coverage of IPL matches will be broadcast free-to-air on ITV4 and simulcast live on ITV.com. The IPL season consists of 74 matches and runs from April 8 to May 28.

ITV4 coverage will be produced by ITV Sport with the presenting team due to be announced shortly.   

Announcing the new deal, Niall Sloane, ITV’s controller of sport said: “ITV4 has a fast growing reputation for broadcasting sport and, after a terrific audience response to our coverage of last year’s competition and more recently the winter Ashes series, I’m delighted that we have secured a new four-year deal for free-to-air coverage of the Indian Premier League.”

Yannick Colaco, COO, Nimbus said: “We are delighted to partner with one of UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster, ITV, to telecast the IPL in UK. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and an exciting IPL season 4.” 

Cricket made its debut on ITV4 in 2010 with live coverage of the third season of IPL and was followed later in the year by highlights of England’s 2010-11 Ashes, Twenty20 and One Day International series in Australia.