Times Internet bags mobile content rights of ICC Cricket World Cup

The agreement does not include the rights of live video streaming of matches.

Indiatimes 58888, the mobile division of Times Internet Limited (TIL), has bagged the mobile content rights of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The tournament commences on February 19.

Speaking to afaqs!, Ajay Vaishnavi, director, telecom, Times Internet, says, "TIL has tied up with Reliance Communications to get the mobile content rights, including text, audio and video content, of the matches. Reliance Communications is the global mobile content partner of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

As per the deal, TIL will re-package and re-distribute the content to earn revenue. The ICC World Cup mobile content will be available through SMS, audio (live commentary and ring back tones), video clips and pictures.

The mobile content rights bagged by TIL do not include the rights of live video streaming of the matches. Mobile service provider Vodafone Essar has the live streaming rights of ESPN-STAR Sports' coverage of the matches.

Apart from distribution of content through the SMS medium, the firm has also established a mobile site (Worldcup.Indiatimes.com), where it will post videos and audio clips, along with news related to the cricket matches. TIL will also tie up with other mobile operators and provide them the mobile content of the ICC World Cup.

To monetise the mobile content, TIL will use advertisements and paid subscription models, says Vaishnavi. The company plans to roll out various SMS packages such as cricket score/news updates as part of the paid subscription model.

Indiatimes 58888, the mobile division of Times Internet has just announced that it has bagged exclusive mobile rights for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. According to the Press Release, the rights which include include mobile content services including SMS, voice & video alerts, live audio commentary, mobile content downloads and 2G and 3G services, were acquired from Reliance Communications. We had earlier reported that Vodafone had won the exclusive rights to live stream the matches.

Services such as Ring Back Tone, Cricket Trivia & Predicta-based contests, Post Match Analysis and Mobile Marketing advertisements. Rishi Khiani, CEO, Times Internet Limited said, “The World Cup begins on 19th of this month and with over 500 million subscribers now, we hope to see significant traction from the users for content downloads. We are talking to operators to make the content available on various platforms”.

Mr. Anil Pande, Head VAS, Reliance Communications said, “We Indians are extremely passionate about cricket and we at Reliance Communications are committed to enhance our customers’ experience in the passion for the game that binds every Indian, in India and globally. This new format of cricket has captured the interest of not only the youth, but all age groups, becoming a bundled family event. As ICC’s ‘Global Partner’ till 2015 we are proud to be associated with the game that is growing in popularity across the World”.

While Mr. Mahesh Prasad, President, Reliance Communications, said “Indiatimes has an exclusive and extensive network services on 58888 and is the largest aggregator in India for infotainment content, it is therefore a strong natural choice for us distribution partnership. We believe that with media strength alongside, Times will bring great value to the mobile subscribers”.

ASSOCHAM has predicted that there will be a loss in productivity during the World Cup due to employees taking time off or reducing work hours. Students will be affected too, as the schedule coincides with final exams around the country. 85% of the respondents to the survey expressed interest in watching the cricket world cup – and in the absence of TVs a significant number of them will turn to their mobile phones for quick updates etc.

Times Internet bags mobile content rights of ICC Cricket World Cup

The agreement does not include the rights of live video streaming of matches.

Indiatimes 58888, the mobile division of Times Internet Limited (TIL), has bagged the mobile content rights of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The tournament commences on February 19.

Speaking to afaqs!, Ajay Vaishnavi, director, telecom, Times Internet, says, "TIL has tied up with Reliance Communications to get the mobile content rights, including text, audio and video content, of the matches. Reliance Communications is the global mobile content partner of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

As per the deal, TIL will re-package and re-distribute the content to earn revenue. The ICC World Cup mobile content will be available through SMS, audio (live commentary and ring back tones), video clips and pictures.

The mobile content rights bagged by TIL do not include the rights of live video streaming of the matches. Mobile service provider Vodafone Essar has the live streaming rights of ESPN-STAR Sports' coverage of the matches.

Apart from distribution of content through the SMS medium, the firm has also established a mobile site (Worldcup.Indiatimes.com), where it will post videos and audio clips, along with news related to the cricket matches. TIL will also tie up with other mobile operators and provide them the mobile content of the ICC World Cup.

To monetise the mobile content, TIL will use advertisements and paid subscription models, says Vaishnavi. The company plans to roll out various SMS packages such as cricket score/news updates as part of the paid subscription model.

Times Internet bags mobile content rights of ICC Cricket World Cup

The agreement does not include the rights of live video streaming of matches.

Indiatimes 58888, the mobile division of Times Internet Limited (TIL), has bagged the mobile content rights of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The tournament commences on February 19.

Speaking to afaqs!, Ajay Vaishnavi, director, telecom, Times Internet, says, "TIL has tied up with Reliance Communications to get the mobile content rights, including text, audio and video content, of the matches. Reliance Communications is the global mobile content partner of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

As per the deal, TIL will re-package and re-distribute the content to earn revenue. The ICC World Cup mobile content will be available through SMS, audio (live commentary and ring back tones), video clips and pictures.

The mobile content rights bagged by TIL do not include the rights of live video streaming of the matches. Mobile service provider Vodafone Essar has the live streaming rights of ESPN-STAR Sports' coverage of the matches.

Apart from distribution of content through the SMS medium, the firm has also established a mobile site (Worldcup.Indiatimes.com), where it will post videos and audio clips, along with news related to the cricket matches. TIL will also tie up with other mobile operators and provide them the mobile content of the ICC World Cup.

To monetise the mobile content, TIL will use advertisements and paid subscription models, says Vaishnavi. The company plans to roll out various SMS packages such as cricket score/news updates as part of the paid subscription model.