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.
Internet, they say, has shrunk the world. On Wednesday, Google went a step ahead. It removed the boundaries on a cricket field — i.e., the barriers.
Soon you will watch cricket matches on demand — at any point of time and any which way you want. No need to wait for the evening highlights show. Watch it at the click of a mouse. The time barrier has been overcome.
In a path-breaking two-year agreement with the Indian Premier League, Internet giant Google has promised to make the consumer the king. The IPL matches will now be available on YouTube. “This is a game-changer,” said IPL chairman Lalit Modi, announcing the tie-up. “It’s bigger than the big.”
The deal, he explained, takes the League beyond the confines of geography — to every part of the world. One can watch IPL action anywhere with the help of broadband connection.
The deal empowers the viewer to decide how he chooses to watch the match as there will be multiple live streams. “On the telly, the viewer is dictated by the producer of the channel,” Modi said.
“We are thrilled to have 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,” said Shailesh Rao, managing director, Google India.
Both Modi and Rao refused to discuss the business module of the deal but conceded that they will share the advertisement revenue. Under the terms of agreement, Google will have exclusive online rights for IPL content for two years and both Google and IPL will jointly share revenues from sponsorships and advertising on www.youtube.com.
“When there are eye-balls there are always opportunities for business. That is not as important for us as the reach we are getting through the deal,” Modi said.
In addition to live streaming of matches, Google will also host a special IPL-branded Orkut Community which will host live chats with Man-of-the-Match, team owners, contests and match polls to engage fans and audiences while the tournament is on. Users will also be able to enjoy short clips of highlights and other special video contents on the YouTube mobile.
Modi denied that it will have any objections from the broadcaster, in this case Sony. The live feeds will reach YouTube five minutes late.
3D Effect
The last four matches of IPL III will be treated to special effects, thanks to 3D technology and spider camera. The 3D technology is a first in sports broadcasting. “It will be in use for 15 matches of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Prior to that we will have it for the last four matches of the IPL,” Modi said.
The only catch in this case is the compatibility factor. With most television sets in India not compatible with 3D technology, the organisers want to have the matches shown on big screens in other stadiums of the hosting cities.
Besides, there will be images captured by the spider camera which will be moving like a spider atop the stadium.
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