Bengalooru, India - ESPN STAR Sports, Asia's premier sports
broadcaster, will be gearing up for the 2007 ICC World Cup at the West
Indies with some special World Cup programming initiatives on its channels
for its viewers in the sub continent. The channels will have it's 'A Few
Good Men' analysing team chances and performances pre, during and post
World Cup matches to be held in the West Indies. The special programming
goes on air from early March onwards to build the World Cup fever.

On air since March 5, 2007 ESPN has launched the Shaz and Waz preview show
that will explore the chances of the top eight teams and their 15 man
squads for the World Cup. The half an hour show hosted by the suave former
Indian captain, Ravi Shastri, and the enigmatic former Pakistani fast
bowler and captain, Wasim Akram, is being aired daily at 2300 hrs IST.
Shaz and Waz will not only be analysing the key players that will make the
difference this World Cup but will also be speaking to some of the greats
from each country regarding their teams chances at the cup this year.

Announcing the special initiatives, Mr R C Venkateish, Managing Director,
ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd said, 'Cricket is a religion in our country
and we plan to make sure that every cricket fanatic in India gets his
daily dose of World Cup on ESPN STAR Sports. The games at the World Cup
will be concluding in the early hours of morning India time and other than
matches involving India people are not likely to have stayed up and
watched the game. Our expert panel comprising of some of the greats from
the world of cricket will provide the audiences with all the views,
analysis and reports for all those matches through their rich and
experienced know how.'

To serve its viewers a daily dose of happenings at the cup, ESPN will air
a unique breakfast show, Taking Guard that will keep cricket fans up to
speed with the latest at the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup at the West
Indies. The show to be aired from March 12 every morning during the World
Cup will have a match review from the previous night and a preview for the
coming evening match for all 51 matches played. The show will hosted by
Alan Wilkins and later by Harsha Bhogle and will comprise a celebrated
panel of ex-cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram and
Pat Symcox who will be discussing all happenings and events during the ICC
World Cup.

The daily news show, Sportcenter, will also be donning a new look and feel
during the World Cup. To be aired twice in Hindi every day during the
World Cup with the theme 'Mission World Cup', the show will primarily
focus on World Cup centric content. The show will preview the World Cup
from March 5 to March 12 followed by actual coverage from March 13
onwards. Sportcenter will also be sending a three member team to the World
Cup, who will follow each and every moment of Team India as they progress
in the tournament.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT :

Mr. BHASKAR MAJUMDAR
Manager - Corporate Communications
ESPN Star Sports
New Delhi, India
E-Mail : bhaskarm@espnstar.co.in