Kapil Dev launches India's first internet radio for cricket

Dubai’s Channel 2 Group’s internet radio platform for cricket, www.cricketfreeq.com, was launched by cricket legend Kapil Dev on Wednesday in Mumbai. Cricketfreeq.com is India’s first internet radio channel on cricket featuring Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Sir Clive Lloyd as expert commentators on the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, and will complement Channel 2 Group’s radio broadcast of the Cup on Cricket Radio. 

The company has tied up with Reliance Communications (RCOM) which will distribute the broadcast content on mobile networks across the world. It will leverage RCOM’s pan-India and global telecom infrastructure to deliver the internet radio channel to cricket lovers across the globe. 

Amit Tripathi, Director, CricketFreeq.com, said, “Cricketfreeq.com offers ball-by-ball cricket updates and analyses of all matches along with games, contests and other interactive content for cricket fans. We have our own channel on Facebook with live Twitter score on the game play. As we grow, we would also go across other social media networks like Orkut, Ibibo and My Space.” 

Kapil Dev said, “Television has taken over sports in a large way, but radio reaches those who cannot be hooked on to television all the time. I want to share my thoughts with the world and I feel radio is a medium of great expression. Cricketfreeq.com is a wonderful way to directly speak with those who are passionate about the game, not only in India but also abroad, and want to know more. During our days we just had an hour-long programme on TV dedicated to sports, but today we have 24-hour sports channels, so it gives me great pleasure to be connected with the world via Radio. On the field I gave my 100 % and I won’t give anything less than 200 % to make this initiative successful.” 

Tripathi said Cricketfreeq.com will be promoted extensively on digital media via  social media open source platforms and search marketing platforms like Google, Yahoo and “most importantly” Facebook. On plans to help the site retain users even after the live matches are over, Tripathi said, “Yes, engagement with viewers is a problem for sports-led websites. Normally, it’s only for the live match hours when millions are hooked