Zee clinches BCCI global overseas media rights for $219.15 million

Zee Telefilms has finally managed to get its share of the BCCI cricket telecast rights. If not the national telecast rights, the broadcaster has at least managed to get the overseas telecast rights for the BCCI matches to be played in all neutral territories outside India. Neutral territories denote all non-ICC member countries. This includes the matches to be played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Holland, England (Lords, Oval and Birmingham), Toronto, New York and the Tristate Area, Houston, Chicago, Palo Alto and the Bay Area, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

The contract is valid for five years, from April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2011, and it comprises television, radio and Internet rights.

In the first year, Zee will have to pay the BCCI $5.04 million per match, in the second year, $6.03 million per match. In the third year, the fee for the telecast rights will be increased to $6.66 million per match, in the fourth year, $8.11 million per match. In the fifth and final year of the contract, Zee will have to pay the BCCI $18 million per match.

So, in total, Zee will have to shell out $219.15 million for 25 matches, which brings the effective cost per match to $8.77 million.

The 25 matches will involve mainly Pakistan as the opposing team, but will include top cricketing countries like Australia and England as well. The media rights also include the upcoming Indo-Pak one-day international and the DLF Cup series to be played in Abu Dhabi on April 18-19, 2006.

The rights will include the coverage of matches played by India in non-ICC member countries.

The other companies in the fray for the telecast rights were Nimbus, ESPN Star Sports and SaharaOne.

© 2006 agencyfaqs!