Televised sport is obviously a huge money spinner. And such is the pull of that enchanting screen, sports lovers with the relevant channel access are increasingly finding themselves with very little downtime outside of the living room.

Also, of course, the novel coronavirus pandemic has boosted television numbers not just in sport, but across the spectrum.

We are drawn to this line of discussion by the start, earlier this week (August 31), in St Kitts, of Twenty20 cricket’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL), even as the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and The Hundred in England are also on screen.

Bear in mind that the final match of an enthralling three-Test series between hosts England and South Africa — now tied at 1-1 — is on screen next week.

And next month, yet another ICC T20 World Cup is to begin, this time in Australia, following the one held in UAE and Oman a year ago.

Intriguingly, organisers of the CPL have collaborated with Cricket West Indies (CWI) in boosting their promotion with the 6IXTY, a 10-over-per-side tournament for men’s and women’s teams, which preceded the T20 tournament.

The first edition of the 6IXTY ended with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots winning the men’s six-team competition, while Barbados Royals won the women’s version which involved three franchises.

Regardless of how successful the 6IXTY proves to be in time to come, cricket fans, for right now, are more focused on the T20 version.

Supporters of Jamaica Tallawahs (men’s team) would have been lifted by their team’s very convincing win over title holders St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Wednesday’s opening game. Readers may recall that the Tallawahs — former champions of the CPL — fared badly last year, failing to reach the play-offs.

They will be on the edge of their living room seats for the Tallawahs’ clash today against the always powerful Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Such is the nature of franchise sport, that the Amazon Warriors include among their number Jamaicans Mr Odean Smith and West Indies Test-match Vice-Captain Mr Jermaine Blackwood.

Jamaicans are also attached to other franchises and, likewise, standouts from the wider Caribbean and cricketing world.

Beyond entertainment value, chairman of West Indies selectors Mr Desmond Haynes, Coach Mr Phil Simmons, and white-ball Captain Mr Nicholas Pooran will be keeping a close eye on performances with a view to the T20 World Cup.

Readers should recall that West Indies have a proud record in T20 cricket, having won the ICC global titles in 2012 and 2016.

However, West Indies, with a number of ageing stars, performed poorly at last year’s World Cup.

The squad for the upcoming tournament will be very different, with youth predominant. And with the struggles the Caribbean team has had, especially in white-ball cricket over an extended period, there are definitely places up for grabs.

For sure, this CPL, is more than just fun for serious cricket watchers.