UCB sign multi-million dollar television deal

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) has announced the signing of a multi-million dollar television rights deal.

The agreement with ESPN Star Sports will run for a period of four years, allowing South African cricket to be watched on the sub-continent.

The deal, worth $24.75 million according to the BBC, will start in September 2003 and run until 2007.

The contract period will include high-profile tours by England, Australia and India.

It will include all Tests and One-day Internationals played during that period with the exception of Pakistan's tour in February 2007.

"This was a long and tough negotiation," said UCBSA chief executive Gerald Majola. "It provides the UCBSA with substantial revenue over the next few years."

"The sub-continent market includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and it is an enormous market of fans who will be watching our cricket."