The uber-popular T20 cricket tournament has won one more exclusive rights deal. This time its with the internet giant Google. For the IPL-3 starting in two months time, all the matches would be broadcast live on the internet, through YouTube. 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. This is also the first major live sporting deal for YouTube, and it comes as a surprise that it’s cricket which gets live-streamed first.

The deal would ensure that internet users would be treated to the amazing spectacle of 60 T20 matches broadcast live, spread across 45 days, starting March. “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. Other than the US, the service would be available everywhere else. Shailesh Rao, Google’s managing director in India and for media and plaforms in the Asia Pacific region, said: “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.”

We at three2tango feel this is a step in the right direction. It would bring in more revenue and also promote the IPL to YouTube’s huge audience. There are already reports that the sponsorship deals offered are huge. As far as the common man in concerned, you can catch all the IPL action at www.youtube.com/ipl.

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