The cash-awash Indian Premier League on Wednesday in Mumbai announced a two-year tie-up with Google by which all the 60 matches in the third season starting from March 12 can be watched on the internet giant's YouTube platform.
Under the terms of the agreement Google will have the exclusive online rights for IPL contents and the two bodies would share revenues from sponsorships and advertising on www.youtube.com/ipl, IPL chief Lalit Modi announced at a press conference here.
"There will be delay of five minutes between TV broadcast and live streaming on YouTube in India. Our aim to take IPL globally will be fulfilled by this partnership," Modi said.
According to the IPL Chairman and Commissioner, the synergy between the Twenty20 League and Google will make the tournament a truly global event as anyone from anywhere in the world, with a computer and net connection, can watch the action for free.
"This is a path-breaking move. No other sporting organisation has done this. This will transform organisations around the world. Consumers will decide how they wish to watch the match as they can use any of the multiple feeds to view the on-field action unlike on TV when the producer decides which angle the viewer can watch," Modi said.
Modi refuted suggestions that the deal could be seen as a conflict of interest with IPL's broadcast partner Sony
I don't agree. A lot many people will be watching the IPL action on the TV screen," he said.
Google India MD Shailesh Rao, while refusing to disclose the financial details of the deal with IPL, said that Youtube is the fastest growing entertainment platform in India and the partnership would help people in countries where the TV broadcast did not reach to watch IPL action.
In addition to live streaming on YouTube, Google would also host a special IPL broadband Orkut community for live chats with man of the match, team owners, contests and match polls. PTI
