Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

[Paul31]

I notice Sri Lanka v Bangladesh is on Channel 837 (Sky Didital) early tomorrow morning. I think this is Channel S.

Is this a free to air channel? Is anyone here likely to know, or at least know where I could find out?

[Maranello]

Hi Paul - welcome to the board!

Originally Posted by Paul31

Is this a free to air channel?

Yes it is.

Another way to get similar information in the future would of course be to click the channel and see whether you can see the broadcasts or whether you get the fascinating blue screen and a phone number to facilitate subscription

Didn't know 837 broadcasted live cricket though, that's interesting. Sony (channel 802) generally broadcasts most of India's matches (eg all of the current series in Zimbabwe), whilst ARY (channel 812) has the rights to all of Pakistan's home cricket and a few other things. However both of these channels are subscription only (average subs: £10/month).

[Paul31]

With the two subscription channels you mention, can you subscribe on a month by month basis, or do you have to sign up for a contract. I would be happy to pay £10 to see a two or three tests in a month, but it would be pointless paying for these channel when there is no cricket, as I would never watch them.

[Paul31]

Just to take this one step further, if I wanted to watch every single Test and ODI played from now on TV, how feasible would this be?


Obviously, Sky will carry all Englands games beyond this summer and I know Sky show other non-England Tests, but I don't know what the deal is?


Maranello says most of India's games and Pakistan home games can be seen if one subscribes to TV Sony Asia and ARY, and Channel S are showing the SL v Bangladesh game. I don't know if this means they will be showing all of Bangladesh's international fixtures.

What about Australian, NZ, SA and Zimbabwean games- is there any way to watch these?

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Paul31 66738

With the two subscription channels you mention, can you subscribe on a month by month basis, or do you have to sign up for a contract.

For Sony, yes you can; they will tell you that they 'require' a minimum 12 months, but if you insist on a monthly sign-up for cricket only, they will agree - I know because that is what I did. Just need to give them a month's notice for cancellation.

For ARY, I don't know; in the past, they used to require contracts. However, whenever important cricket matches are on (read Pak v India) they offer special two month packages etc.

Originally Posted by Paul31 66740

Just to take this one step further, if I wanted to watch every single Test and ODI played from now on TV, how feasible would this be?

Obviously, Sky will carry all Englands games beyond this summer and I know Sky show other non-England Tests, but I don't know what the deal is?

Sky Sports have rights to all of England's overseas internationals, as well as all international cricket played in Australia, the West Indies and South Africa. They broadcast all the matches of Australia and the West Indies, though sometimes they miss out the Zimbabwe or Bangladesh series; I am less certain whether they broadcast all of SA's home matches.

This covers the home internationals of most countries; as hardly anyone wants to watch New Zealand, their UK rights are done on a series by series basis; I watched their last home series against Pakistan on Setanta Sports, which is pay-per-view. Indian TV rights are the most lucrative in the world, and a mess; lots of court cases and sponsors' battles are routine before each series, though Sony have been the winner in the Zee v ESPN row in their last two home series.

Not sure who broadcasts Zimbabwe or Bangladesh home games, or for matter, whether there is any market for that sort of thing! Sky and ARY would broadcast them if England and Pakistan are playing, respectively; but apart from that, not much interest, I would have thought!

[Paul31]

Thanks, Maranello, that is very useful.

[Zainub]

Just to take this one step further, if I wanted to watch every single Test and ODI played from now on TV, how feasible would this be?

Or consider moving to the subcontinent and get all the cricket, football, tennis, rugby, snooker, darting, baseball, basketball ...and just about any sport and even non sport related tv you can dream of...all for under 3 pounds a month.

[Zainub]

And on the actual subject of Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, I'm getting that down here on Ten Sports. And it should be really interesting. Bangladesh will be high on confidence after their performances in England, especially that win against Australia. The condition in Sri Lanka should suit them much more then England so I will expect their improvement to continue. Having said that Sri Lanka's home record is second to none. They are almost invincible at home. All of which should make this tour interesting to keep track of.

[Paul31]

If anyone cares, Sri Lanka won this by 88 runs.

I only saw the Bangladesh innings, 4.45 start a little early for me.

The left handed opener looks a nice player.

[Paul31]

On another note, it looks like this may have been a one off, as I don't see Friday and Sunday games in the Channel S schedules- unless they have a very regimented structure normally and have yet to update it to include the cricket.