BBC Offers Ashes Broadband Service

The BBC will broadcast highlights of the upcoming Ashes series online within
only a matter of minutes of the close of each day’s play.

The BBC has increased its commitment to coverage of the cricket series
between England and Australia by adding a free 10-minute broadband package in
addition to the highlights show it has committed to on its terrestrial channel.

Although Sky holds the live TV rights to the series, the BBC is keen to cash
in on the huge interest in the Ashes series by exploiting the full multimedia
potential of the highlights rights package that it has bought.

As well as the broadband highlights available to download, the BBC’s online
coverage will also incorporate podcasts and on-demand action as well as marking
a return of the famous Test Match Special theme tune.

In terms of television coverage, digital BBC viewers will be able to see the
highlights show of each day’s play at 10pm – the earliest the BBC is allowed to
screen the action according to Sky’s live rights contract. The extended version
of the show will then be screened on terrestrial channel BBC Two at 11.15pm.

Sky has also committed to online coverage of the Ashes to support its live
rights. Sky Mobile TV is also offering live Ashes coverage and daily highlights
for the first time to customers with 3G phone who subscribe to Vodafone, Orange
and 3. Ashes highlights will also be available to Sky Digital subscribers via
the skysports.com website.