COLORADO: EchoStar Communications Corporation has announced that it has acquired exclusive television, radio and internet distribution rights for the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2003 Cricket World Cup for North, Central and South America.

EchoStar claims to have exclusive rights to distribute through sub-licensees in the following territories: the United States, its territories and possessions; Canada; Mexico; all countries of Central and South America, and all Caribbean Nations, including Antigua, Barbadoes, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, Tobago and the United States Virgin Islands.

EchoStar's DISH Network will exclusively broadcast the World Cup in the United States. Dish Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation.

In the US, DISH Network customers can purchase the entire Cricket World Cup 2003 package for $299.95. The World Cup games will be available on DISH Network channels 457/471 and 458/472.

Other broadcasters that have bagged telecast rights include Sony's Max in India, Rupavahini in Sri Lanka, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, Pakistan TV in Pakistan, SABC in South Africa, BTV in Bangladesh, Sky Sports in New Zealand and Fox Sports in Australia.

Live coverage of the 54 match tournament will be kicked off with a two-hour opening ceremony from Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town South Africa on 8 February and will conclude with a closing ceremony honoring the world champions immediately after the final match from Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 23 March.