Sky secure rights for England-India series

Satellite broadcaster BSkyB has secured the rights to televise England's tour of India.

Nimbus Communication announced the four-year deal early on Friday, and it was confirmed by a spokesman for Sky TV. As well as the current series, it covers India's home series against Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa through to 2009.

Neither party would disclose the value of the contract. It is widely thought that many of the other channels mentioned by Nimbus in recent days were not necessarily serious bidders, but were brought into play in an attempt to increase the value of the rights.

Sky's production team, which has been on standby all week, will fly out to India this weekend and will be followed by the commentary team which includes Mike Atherton, Ian Botham, David Gower and Nasser Hussain.

Sky now has the rights to all home international series in England, Australia, India, South Africa and West Indies.