Date:18/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/08/18/stories/2004081802411700.htm

Sport - Cricket

Telecast rights: BCCI defers decision

MUMBAI, AUG. 17. Though there are only 50 days left for the India-Australia to begin at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not been rushed into awarding the four-year live broadcasting rights at the sheer sight of millions of dollars in the tender documents.

The BCCI's high-powered Marketing Committee consisting of all the present office-bearers, the immediate past president, secretary and treasurer and a special invitee, mulled over the tenders of the five bidders and the report presented by audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and decided not to take a hasty decision.

Responding to the deliberation of the BCCI's Marketing Committee on Tuesday in Kolkata, Managing Director of ESPN Software India Private Ltd., R.C. Venkatesh, said: "We see it as a positive development. Obviously the BCCI is not only looking at the monetary aspect of the broadcasting rights, but also at other aspects, most importantly technical expertise and experience in telecasting international cricket matches. The BCCI is taking time to evaluate the entire gamut of the bids and I am confident it will call us for negotiations.''

The Zee Telefilms Vice-President, Ashish Kaul, said: "There is nothing to say except that the BCCI will have to come to us in the end. There is no reason why the BCCI will not do so. We have met all requirements. We have also offered a special package for branding India's domestic cricket.''

Sony Entertainment Television (SET) Max CEO, Kunal Dasgupta, said: "Zee and ESPN-Star are seeing something we are not able to figure out. Add production costs between US $ 100-150 million and marketing expenses. We cannot take such a big hit. Probably, Zee and ESPN-Star are prepared to take a hit of hundred million. Advertising revenue cannot change much over the next four years. We are not in the Direct to Home platform. One has to be looking at 65 to 75 lakh customers for the box paying Rs. 500. SET Max bid for $142 million and not $130 million. We are in the bunch as Prasar Bharati ($150 million) and TEN Sports ($115 million). I don't think we underbid.

"There are no two opinions that India is a big property. But if we are not there, it's okay. We have the tri-series in Holland and the Champions Trophy. Something will come next year and the next Champions Trophy is likely to be held in India,'' he said. — Our Special Corespondent