Sky launches dedicated cricket channel

Sky Sports in the UK is dedicating an entire channel to its coverage of this summer’s Ashes cricket series.

Sky Sports Ashes will offer 63 days of action between 30 June and 31 August and will take the place of Sports 2 on the EPG. An HD version of the Ashes channel will take the place of Sky Sports 2 HD.

The channel will also screen live county cricket fixtures, highlights and various Ashes support shows and will be free to existing Sky Sports customers. Other cricket matches to air on the channel include the Women’s Ashes series and England versus Pakistan under-19 international coverage

This summer’s Ashes contest is the eighth to be shown exclusively live by Sky Sports. Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports said: “There has never been a better time to be a Sky Sports subscriber, our six channels are offering more than ever before.”