Times Internet, YouTube to jointly distribute IPL matches

[mmadhankumar]

Times Internet Ltd, the digital media company of Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd, has renewed its association with YouTube to jointly distribute all 76 cricket matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season and the next.

Viewers across the globe except in the US and Canada will be able to watch the live matches and highlights on YouTube.com and BoxTv, Times Internet’s video streaming website.

“We have renewed our association on the basis of the strengths and success of the last two years of partnership,” Times Internet chief executive Satyan Gajwani said. “YouTube will continue to be our distribution partner globally, and will going forward also participate in our monetization efforts around IPL, with them taking the lead in India.”

Users will also be able to watch the IPL matches on the YouTube channel using Google+ Hangout, which will have cricket stars participating on match dates and providing analysis between innings.

Online viewership for IPL has been growing at a fast pace the past couple of years. “Last year there was a 55% increase in the online viewership for IPL and a 43% increase in user base. And the year before that we saw a 79% increase in viewership,” Gajwani said.

“We typically set out with a 20% growth target. Just like last season, we expect to grow better than TV,” he added.


Times Internet, YouTube to jointly distribute IPL matches - Livemint