UKTV’s Dave channel is continuing their push into live sports programming. The channel, which ranks as the UK’s number one non-PSB, has struck a deal which gives them exclusive rights to broadcast this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League cricket (CPL).

The one year deal, which was approved by Dave General Manager Steve North and UKTV’s Director Of Commissioning Richard Watsham, will see Dave air games in full from 1pm throughout the Twenty20 tournament, with five games being shown live from 11.30pm. The tournament begins on June 29th and will run until August 7th. IMG is producing the match coverage, with Arch Dyson serving as executive producer for UKTV.

“We’re really looking forward to our exclusive coverage of the Hero Caribbean Premier League. Dave is committed to bringing more live sport to free-to-air television and we’re proud that we can offer cricket a new home for fans this summer”, said Steve North, General Manager of Dave.

Dave only moved into live sports programming earlier this year. They started down that road with David Haye’s comeback fight, which proved to be a ratings hit for the channel. That was soon followed up on with a deal which gave the UKTV owned channel rights to broadcast the British Darts Organisation World Trophy live. Today’s deal with CPL is also notable as it brings cricket back to free-to-air television.

“Securing exclusive rights to broadcast the Hero Caribbean Premier League is an important development to our sporting portfolio on the channel”, added UKTV’s Director of Commissioning Richard Watsham. “The CPL is unlike any other domestic cricket tournament; with the first match only a couple of weeks away we are very much looking forward to bringing all of the energy, noise and excitement from the tournament, free to air to our viewers.”