ESPNcricinfo Launches a New Digital Video Show ‘Contenders’ Ahead of World Cup 2015

- A 10-episode show featuring legendary cricketers Graeme Smith and Rahul Dravid

- In-depth discussions on teams and players who are participating in the World Cup

With the Cricket World Cup 2015 less than a month away, ESPNcricinfo, the digital destination for all cricket lovers has launched a new video series ‘CONTENDERS’. The show featuring former India Captain Rahul Dravid and former South African Captain Graeme Smith will provide in-depth analysis of each of the 14 teams participating in the tournament. Dravid and Smith are among the most astute observers of the game and having played at the highest level with great success till very recently, will provide unique insight and perspective. Both played three World Cups each themselves- Dravid in 1999, 2003 & 2007 and Smith in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

The shows will not only focus on the core issues as well as strengths & weaknesses of each team, but focus on the captain and key players as well. In addition, a segment on the show will offer INSIGHTS, a deep dive into interesting numbers and data about the teams that may well determine their progress in the tournament. The 10-episode series starting January 20^th is sponsored by renowned automobile company Renault.

Hosted by Gaurav Kalra, Senior Editor, ESPNcricinfo CONTENDERS is a one-stop destination for all cricket lovers as we build towards the eleventh edition of the game’s marquee event.

Speaking about this programme, Sambit Bal, Editor of ESPNcricinfo said, “At ESPNcricinfo, it has been our constant endeavor to produce high-quality original video programming, and Contenders is yet another step in that direction. It brings together two iconic cricketers who have led their teams at the World Cup to examine the prospects of the 14 teams and their leading players in the cricket’s biggest event.”

About ESPNcricinfo:

With 20 years of heritage, ESPNcricinfo is the world's leading digital cricket brand. Founded in 1993 and acquired by ESPN in 2007, ESPNcricinfo is committed to delivering an independent voice for comprehensive coverage of the sport and is available to cricket fans online and across mobile platforms.

In India, ESPNcricinfo is the #1 digital sports destination and the #1 cricket brand, leading all competitors in unique audience, total time spent, visits, page views and average minutes per visitor. It has an average minute audience that is nearly double its nearest competitor – meaning that during any average minute of a month, nearly twice as many fans are on ESPNcricinfo as any other sports destination.

Globally, ESPNcricinfo leads its top competitors in average minute audience, unique visitors, page views, average minutes per visitor, and total visits. Despite that leading position, it continues to grow. Across online, mobile and tablet devices (Web and apps) fans log up to 2 billion minutes of time spent each month with ESPNcricinfo globally and log millions of video views.

About ESPN in Asia Pacific:

In the Asia/Pacific Rim region, ESPN operates a diverse business that includes a portfolio of television, online and mobile brands and services. Often known for its television businesses globally, ESPN is also the world’s leading sports digital media company, and among the leading digital content and technology brands (in any category) worldwide. Its APAC digital media assets form an important part of its global digital leadership and make it the leading digital sports publisher in both India and Australia.

ESPN International is a division of ESPN, Inc., which has grown to include ownership — in whole or in part — of 24 television networks outside of the United States, as well as a variety of additional businesses that allow ESPN to reach sports fans in countries and territories across all seven continents.

ESPN International business entities include television, radio, print, internet, broadband, mobile, consumer products, and event management.

ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.