The Hindu Business Line : Zee, ESPN eye Australian series

BOTH Zee Telefilms and ESPN Software are trying to bag the telecast rights of the Australian tour of India commencing on October 6 and have made separate proposals to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Zee Telefilms, in a letter dated September 23, 2004, said that besides agreeing to give signals to the Third Umpire, the broadcaster would be fully ready to cover and telecast the cricket matches. It said that it has already tied up with international producers who have experience in cricket.

"We would do this entirely at our own risk without any equities in our favour and in case your cancellation is upheld, we will deposit the entire advertisement revenue collected (both on our channel as well as Doordarshan after deducting agency sales commission and mutually agreed production costs and telecast fee which we pay to Prasar Bharati) with the BCCI.

Today, Mr Rik Dovey, Managing Director, ESPN-Star Sports (ESS), Asia, has proposed to the BCCI that ESPN-Star Sports is willing to produce and telecast the forthcoming India-Australia series. It has further proposed that it will pass the net advertising revenues earned on ESPN and Star Sports, as well its net share of the DD revenue, net of costs, to the BCCI.

He said that ESS would undertake the production and telecast of the India-Australia series on its networks, "as you are aware, we have our own production unit and in house production capability and leading commentators. (As you are aware Zee has neither in place)." He also added that the broadcaster has an agreement with Prasar Bharati to carry the signals on Doordarshan.

Earlier in the Supreme Court, senior counsel Mr K.K. Venugopal appearing for the BCCI, said that the Board was contemplating granting the contract for the domestic telecast to the Prasar Bharati while the foreign telecast rights would be given to someone else.

He said that the Australian Cricket Board had threatened to pull out of its cricket series with India beginning from October 6 unless the legal wrangle over the cricket telecast was settled before the series.