Ashes to be streamed live on Youtube

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have signed a deal with YouTube to stream this summers’s Investec Ashes series live in 53 countries across mainland Europe and Latin America.

This deal would expand the ECB’s digital services, with its free-to-view content already receiving more than 1.5 million views. This partnership would help viewers live stream the Ashes on the official ECB YouTube channel.

On this channel, viewers can already watch one minute highlights of every session, including the Investec Tests and the 40-over county cricket, the Yorkshire Bank 40, as well as behind-the scene features and player interviews.

This service would begin on Wednesday, July 10 on the first day of the Ashes Test at Trent Bride. Though the services will only be available to users in regions where there is broadcast offering.

David Collier, ECB’s chief executive, said: “This is the ECB’s first venture into live streaming of cricket online, so it is ground-breaking territory for us.

“We receive numerous requests from cricket fans in regions when there is no broadcast TV offering and therefore we are delighted that many will be able to enjoy this Investec Ashes Series.”

Viewers from more than 50 countries will be able to stream the whole tournament, including fans from Croatia, Italy, Norway, Chile and Brazil.

Steve Nuttall, the senior director of YouTube, said: “Our partnership with ECB expands the reach of the Investec Ashes Series to new countries and to YouTube’s younger, connected audience. We’re delighted to see more top-quality cricket on YouTube.”

Source: Media Week