Dubai: The Middle East’s first dedicated high-definition cricket channel will launch next week, when CricOne becomes OSN Sports Cricket HD.

From October 1 the popular CricOne channel, which OSN acquired when it bought Pehla Media & Entertainment last month, will be rebranded. As OSN Sports Cricket HD, it will offer fans across the region thousands of hours of live international and domestic cricket in true high definition.

The launch of OSN Sports Cricket HD also brings OSN’s portfolio of HD channels to 37.

David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer of OSN, said: “When we acquired Pehla, our promise was to provide more value to subscribers. The launch of OSN Sports Cricket HD demonstrates our continued commitment to sports fans across the region by offering the very best in cricket with an unmatched viewing experience.”

Andy Warkman, VP Sport & Production at OSN, added: “With the acquisition of Pehla, OSN’s slate of cricket rights now includes all major events and series and, from our perspective, the only way to watch cricket is in high definition.

“Launching OSN Sports Cricket HD, a 24/7 HD cricket channel, is very exciting for OSN and our customers. For the first time, the region will be able to watch the hugely popular IPL and ICC events in glorious high definition, which includes the 2014 ICC World T20 and 2015 ICC World Cup. With the ICC World T20 qualifiers being held in the UAE this November and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup also in the UAE in 2014, this is an exciting time for cricket in the region and OSN will be at the forefront.”

OSN Sports Cricket HD’s first major series will see Australia and the West Indies tour India, who themselves then travel to New Zealand for a series against the Black Caps. The channel will also show this winter’s Ashes series between Australia and England, when the hosts will seek to regain the urn.

The OSN portfolio now also includes the Indian Premier League, ICC World Twenty20, Champions League T20, Big Bash league, Caribbean Premier League and all India, England, Australia and New Zealand home series.