Sky Sports to offer dedicated channel to Ashes

Sky Sports is to dedicate an entire channel to cricket this summer, providing coverage of men’s, women’s and youth matches including this summer’s Ashes series.

Sky will commit one channel – Sky Sports Ashes HD – to cricket, offering 63 days of action between 30 June and 31 August, including live ball-by-ball coverage of the Investec Ashes.

The channel will also screen live county fixtures, highlights and various support shows at no extra cost to customers.

The news follows BT’s announcement that the company will be offering BT Sport to all of its broadband consumers – making weekly live matches from the Barclays Premier League free for the first time in over 20 years.

Sky Sports commentator Sir Ian Botham was optimistic about the news, saying that cricket fans have “never had it so good”.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports said that the offering will bring about an “unrivaled” schedule.

“There has never been a better time to be a Sky Sports subscriber, our six channels are offering more than ever before,” Francis said.

“The Ashes series is a key part of the biggest summer of sport we’ve ever had and with The British & Irish Lions Tour, back to back Ashes, every F1 race and our biggest ever football season, there really is something for everyone.

“With Sky Sports Ashes HD, it couldn’t be easier for viewers to enjoy their live cricket. The channel will be the home of televised cricket for the summer with an unrivalled schedule.”

Cricket coverage on Sky Sports is available on TV, PC and via both mobile and tablet devices. Sky Sports will also launch an ‘enhanced Ashes experience’ within the Sky Sports for iPad and via the Ashes Event Centre on skysports.com.

This summer’s Ashes contest is the eighth to be shown exclusively live by Sky Sports.