NEW YORK & ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – July 20, 2004 – American Pro Cricket L.L.C. and EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that DISH Network satellite TV will broadcast ProCricket’s regular season, all-star match, playoff and championship games on DISH On Demand Pay-Per-View this summer. ProCricket is the first professional cricket league in the United States, with local teams in eight U.S. markets.
DISH Network’s DISH On Demand Pay-Per-View will begin offering ProCricket on Friday, July 23 with a match between the New Jersey Fire and the Florida Thunder. Eight additional regular season matches will be broadcast live on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer, with a replay of each match also available. ProCricket’s All-Star game will be broadcast on Thursday, Aug. 19. ProCricket’s 2004 Championship Round Playoffs will be available on Friday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 29. The Final Premier Championship Match will be broadcast Sunday, Sept. 5.
‘As the first American professional cricket league, ProCricket is a great addition to DISH Network’s Pay-Per-View lineup,’ said Susan Arnold, vice president of Programming for DISH Network. ‘These exciting games are attractive to culturally diverse subscribers who rely on DISH Network for programming that blends the best from many nations.’
‘We are pleased to partner with DISH Network to bring the debut season of ProCricket into living rooms across the nation,’ said Kal Patel, chairman and commissioner for ProCricket. ‘DISH Network has proven to be the leader in televising international cricket in America, having aired the World Cup, so it is a natural fit to showcase U.S. ProCricket games in the same TV venue.’
ProCricket is played with two teams of 12 players each. Traditionally, a game of cricket can last anywhere from an afternoon to several days but ProCricket matches are played in three hours. Similar to baseball, teams bat in successive innings and attempt to score runs, while the opposing team fields and attempts to bring an end to the batting team’s innings. The team with the most runs wins.
To enhance the game for American viewers, ProCricket features a variety of unique changes tailored to the U.S. market. Among the new aspects of the game are three-hour long matches, characterized by ‘Fast n’ Furious Global Action,’ and new ProCricket rules – including time limits and a version of the Designated Hitter Rule – to yield fast-paced, action-packed matches.
ProCricket inaugural 2004 teams include the following: Chicago Tornadoes, Florida Thunder, Los Angeles Unity, New Jersey Fire, New York Storm, San Francisco Freedom, Texas Arrowheads and Washington D.C. Forward.
DISH Network residential customers can purchase single 2004 ProCricket regular season and playoff games for $9.95 each. ProCricket’s Final Premier Championship Match can be purchased separately for $19.95. Residential customers also can elect to purchase a ProCricket Season Package for $99.95, featuring all 13 games. To order games or for more information on becoming a DISH Network subscriber, call 800-333-DISH (3474).
The ProCricket season is also available for commercial establishments such as restaurants and universities, with single-game airings priced at $99.95 or $499.95 for all matches. Commercial establishments can call 800-454-0843 for more information.
DISH Network is a leader in bringing cricket matches to viewers in the United States, DISH On Demand Pay-Per-View will also broadcast the Holland Cup beginning Aug. 21 and the ICC Champions Trophy beginning Sept. 10. For more information go to www.dishnetwork.com/cricket.
For more details contact:
Robert Silverman Gramercy Strategies for ProCricket
(212) 779-1900
robert@gramercystrategies.com
Stu Ginsburg
Gramercy Strategies, for ProCricket
(917) 554-0724
stu@gramercystrategies.com
Kelley Baca
EchoStar’s DISH Network (303)-723-2012
kelley.baca@echostar.com