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Cricket Australia to broadcast Twenty20 competition into North America

Xinhua, July 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cricket Australia has on Monday announced it has signed a one-year broadcast deal with NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) in the United States, in what the organization has described as a "watershed moment" for the sport in North America.

From this season, NBCSN will broadcast one Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL) match per week both live and on delay, while all of the finals will also be shown on delay.

NBCSN is often included in most basic cable TV packages in the United States, meaning up to 85 million households will be able to access Australia's national T20 league.

Cricket Australia's Executive General Manager of Media, Communications & Marketing, Ben Amarfio said it was an exciting time for cricket in the US, following last year's breakthrough exhibition matches played in front of packed houses in Houston, New York City and Los Angeles.

He said he expects the American public, including expats from cricket-mad nations, to "embrace" the broadcasting of the BBL.

"It is the first time Australian cricket will be available to such a broad mainstream audience and we think that not only will the 10 million plus sub-continent, Caribbean, UK, South Africa and Australasia diaspora throughout the U.S. be excited about cricket being so easily accessible, but Americans in general will also embrace the Big Bash League," he said.

"The growth of cricket, including the Big Bash League in recent years, has been phenomenal. We're very excited to extend the reach of the Big Bash League into the US and Canada markets and look forward to connecting with fans whether it be via broadcast, online or on via mobile devices."

In Canada, Cricket Australia has also forged a deal with new partner Asian Television Network (ATN) for the next five years.

NBC Sports and NBCSN President of Programming Jon Miller told the Cricket Australia website that he was excited to partner with the cricketing body to bring cricket's most exiting format to fans in the United States.

"The Big Bash League enhances our expansive collection of best-in-class international sports properties," he said.

Meanwhile Amarfio said the "watershed moment" of broadcasting the BBL into the US was only enhanced by the deals signed with "prominent companies" with great reach.

"We are fortunate to be partnering with such prominent companies who clearly value the quality of Australian cricket content," he said.

The 2016/17 BBL season begins on Dec. 20. Endit