Fire up IPL Season 3 with the best cricketing minds on CNN-IBN & IBN7

Media News

New Delhi, March 02, 2010

As cricket fans eagerly await the start of the third season of IPL, CNN-IBN & IBN7 are all set to start a special line-up of programming that will feature for the first time game’s leading cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, who will bring his special charm and expertise to the line-up. Also the programming will feature the legendary Sunil Gavaskar who will provide his perspective to the game during the entire IPL tournament.

To take the IPL crescendo to the maximum Cyrus Broacha will accompany Harsha Bhogle and Sunil Gavaskar to provide an unsurpassed combination of seriousness and lightheartedness. Also IBN7 will bring its viewers comprehensive reviews on every match played as ex-spin master Maninder Singh will accompany the inimitable Harsha Bhogle during the special programming on the channel.

Programming starts from 1st March to 25th April 2010 will be divided in two stages, pre tournament from March 1st - 11th, and tournament stage from 12th March to 25th April. With over 300 hours of programming between the two channels, the programming will have wide spread coverage with an unparalleled access to the most exciting series in the game that truly has the nation’s heart beat as one.

CNN-IBN brings upon the Pre tournament programming which includes Cricketainment, a series of special shows like ;Impact of T-20 cricket, look back on IPL-I 2008 & IPL-II 2009, special on 2008 and 2009 IPL winners, special on 2008 and 2009 IPL finalists, special shows on the teams from Delhi, Punjab, Kolkata and Mumbai and a peek ahead to IPL-III with Harsha Bhogle which will air at 8:30pm everyday from March 2nd - 5th and from March 9th to 11th .Also there will be one hour special on team owners and big players anchored by Rajdeep Sardesai on 6th /7th March followed by ‘Kaun Jeetega IPL’ at 8pm on 11th March where the great minds including Harsha Bhogle, Cyrus Broacha, Sunil Gavaskar and Rajdeep Sardesai will discuss the fate of IPL –III.

The programming during the tournament on CNN-IBN from March 12 to April 25 includes

* Special programming with Cyrus Broacha at 7:30 AM with a repeat telecast at 10:30 AM featuring IPL trivia

* Sports Tonight at 7:30 PM with special segments devoted to IPL

* Cricketainment with Cyrus Broacha at 11:30 PM

The pre tournament programming on IBN7 hosted by Harsha Bhogle and Maninder Singh will have ‘Harsha Bhogle Ke Saath’, a special show from March 1st – 5th and from March 8th – 10that 7:30pm Also a one hour special ‘Kaun Jeetega IPL’ on March 12thon the same time.

The programming on IBN7 during the IPL tournament includes: "Cricket ka Mahayudh" each day at 7:30am, 9:30am, 7:30pm, 11:30pm, and also at 3pm (on days when there are two matches),

Speaking about the special programming, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN18 Network said, “With IPL fever in the air, we bring the viewers this special programming to update them on all the action on and off the field. With the skilled evaluation of Sunil Gavaskar, Maninder Singh and Harsha Bhogle accompanied by a generous dash of entertainment provided by the effervescent wit of Cyrus Broacha we seek to provide an unparalleled viewing experience”

Speaking on the occasion, Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7, said, "With our panel of commentators and guest presenters we bring an unbeatable combination of information and entertainment for the third season of the IPL. So join the excitement with a lineup of programming which will surely keep all cricket lovers glued to their seats."

For further information, please contact:

Hanmer MS&L

Vijay Malik

Mobile: +91-9811957132

Email: vijay.malik@hanmermsl.com