19 May , 2004

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is launching a subscription video service via its official website - www.ecb.co.uk - for the start of the international season tomorrow (Thursday - May 20).

As England take on New Zealand in the first npower Test at Lord's, internet users worldwide will be able to log on to ecb.co.uk and subscribe to an exclusive highlights package.

ECB has joined forces with leading webcasting solutions provider Servecast to launch the service, the first of its kind for cricket in this country.

Users can purchase a full season ticket covering all the npower Tests, The NatWest Series ODIs and The NatWest Challenge this summer for just £30. Alternatively, subscription is available for the current npower Test Series with New Zealand alone for £10.

The video service is the latest functionality to be added to the ECB website, which relaunched at the start of the month - with a new design and technology provided by London agency the OTHER media, and content and editorial management provided by The Press Association.

The package gives users access to three specially edited one-minute highlight clips during each day of the Test, one available after the end of each session. The clips will be streamed in Windows Media Player format.

Kevin Allton, ECB's New Media Manager (Commercial), said: "This new initiative enables cricket fans worldwide to access highlights in a timely and convenient manner. We are positive this will be a successful and attractive addition to our new website - which is already proving very popular.

"Servecast successfully stream content for many other sports worldwide and we are thrilled to be working with them on this exciting venture for the game."

ECB will be working with Servecast to add live streaming to certain territories, not restricted by existing TV broadcast contracts, later in the summer.

ECB is already using Servecast's Media Studio platform to stream other unique audio and video content from ecb.co.uk, including player interviews and promotional videos.

Darach Deehan, CEO of Servecast, said: "We are delighted to be working with the ECB to produce this highlights package. With the growing penetration of broadband services in the UK and worldwide we believe there is a significant opportunity here for cricket.

"To be chosen as the official service provider by the ECB further enhances our position as the unrivalled leader in providing webcasting solutions to the sports sector."

For further information, please contact;

Darach Deehan, CEO, Servecast

Telephone + 353 (0)1 4748002

About Servecast;

Servecast is the leading provider of webcasting solutions for the Enterprise, Sports and Media sectors. Its solutions for the sports and media sectors enable content owners to monetize their content by securely delivering it to a global broadband audience. Its enterprise software solutions enable corporations to harness the power of webcasting as part of their communications and training programmes.

Contact Servecast here.