The International Cricket Council has announced its partnership with Facebook where the social media platform will become the exclusive digital content rights partner for ICC global events in the Indian sub-continent.
The four-year agreement that runs from 2019 to 2023 will include 12 major ICC events including the 2020 and 2021 ICC T20I World Cups, World Test Championship, T20 World Cup qualifier events and the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Facebook will carry a range of digital content that will include in-match key moments, match recaps and other match and feature content.
“We are delighted to welcome Facebook to the global cricket family for this multi-year, multi-market partnership which is a first for our sport. The combination of one of the world’s most-watched sports with one of the world’s largest platforms is exciting for the future of our game,” said ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney.
ICC decided to seal the deal with Facebook after their successful collaboration during the ICC World Cup 2019. The cricket governing body claimed that it has received more than 4.6 billion views on video content with #CWC19 across its digital and social media platforms including Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook as well.
“The record-breaking growth in digital consumption at this summer’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup demonstrated the continued power of cricket to connect and engage more deeply with diverse audiences around the world.”
“Throughout the competitive bid process, we received tremendous interest from a range of platforms, all of whom recognize the phenomenal reach of cricket. In Facebook, we have a genuine partner who shares in our ambition to continue to grow and deepen engagement with cricket fans globally using its platforms,” he added.
Ajith Mohan, VP and Managing Director of Facebook India said, “We are excited to partner with the ICC to bring the most exciting moments in cricket to Facebook Watch and to chart the next stage of technology-led transformation in cricket.
“With Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, the ICC has an exceptional opportunity to leverage our family of apps to serve current sports fans as well as bring in an entirely new generation of fans. Every day, people come to our platforms to talk about, and form friendships around cricket. With this partnership, we will be able to serve these fans with the kind of premium content that can ignite new conversations, new connections and new followership.
“The future of AR and VR is being charted by Facebook and we are excited about the possibility of bringing the best of our innovations to fans around the world.”
Feature image courtesy: AFP/ Lakruwan Wanniarachchi
