Date:07/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/07/stories/2004090703080100.htm

Back Zee eyes tie-up with Ten Sports — Turner group too interested

Nithya Subramanian

New Delhi , Sept. 6

THE lure for big bucks from cricket seems to be bringing together rivals in sports broadcasting. After bagging the rights to the matches organised by the BCCI in India for $308 million, the Zee group is believed to be in talks with the Dubai-based Ten Sports for an alliance.

Sources in the broadcasting industry said that besides Doordarshan and Zee, Ten Sports has a large in-house production team. "And Ten Sports has some experience in cricket broadcasting," they added.

While the exact nature of the alliance is not known, industry sources do not rule out the option of the two entering into a joint venture. Company officials refused to elaborate on the discussions.

The proposal by Ten Sports is one of the two proposals before the Zee group.

The Turner group, which already has a distribution joint venture with Zee Telefilms called Zee-Turner Ltd, has also written to the Indian broadcaster offering to form a joint venture.

"The Turner group has a lot of experience in sports broadcasting that could be very helpful," said a Zee official. A final decision is expected shortly.

Meanwhile, the Zee group has already conveyed to the BCCI that it has got its finances in order.

The BCCI had asked the company to pay up $20 million within 2-3 days after which it would offer the letter of intent.

The company is in the process of finalising a name and logo for its sports channel. Its creative agency, FCB Ulka, will be making a presentation to Mr Subhash Chandra, the chief promoter, shortly.