New Delhi, Mar 29: ITV, a major commercial TV network, has entered into a new four-year deal with Nimbus Communications for the UK broadcast rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket competition.

Under the new agreement, live coverage of IPL matches, the fourth season of which is scheduled to be held from April 8 to May 28th, will be broadcast free-to-air on ITV4 and simulcast live on ITV.com.

Announcing the new deal, Niall Sloane, ITV's Controller of Sport said: "ITV4 has a fast growing reputation for broadcasting sport and, after a terrific audience response to our coverage of last year's competition and more recently the winter Ashes series, I'm delighted that we have secured a new four-year deal for free-to-air coverage of the Indian Premier League."

Yannick Colaco, COO, Nimbus said: "We are delighted to partner with one of UK's biggest commercial broadcaster, ITV, to telecast the IPL in UK. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and an exciting IPL season 4."

Cricket made its debut on ITV4 in 2010 with live coverage of the third season of IPL and was followed later in the year by highlights of England's 2010-11 Ashes, Twenty20 and One Day International series in Australia.

ITV4 is available to over 93 per cent of homes on platforms including Freesat, Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.

The channel's sports line-up includes live UEFA Europa League, Tour de France and British Touring Cars and highlights of Rugbys Aviva Premiership, Heineken Cup and LV Cup.

PTI