BCCI throws open tender for IPL’s global broadcasting rights for 10 years

Promising a “historic” new beginning, the BCCI on Sunday announced an open tender process for allocating the cash-rich IPL’s global broadcasting rights for 10 years, a move that conforms to the Lodha Committee recommendations on transparency in business deals.

“We are happy to announce the tender process for IPL Global Media Rights (TV and Digital) for next 10 years,” BCCI President Anurag Thakur announced in a press conference here.

“IPL is now the fastest growing league, most popular cricket league in the world and sixth most popular sports league in the world so it is very important for us to make it transparent when we announce the next tender process because it is going to be a historic bid in the history of cricket world.

“Talent meets opportunity is what is the tagline of IPL and in the last 9 years, we have seen that the world has recognised IPL has their favourite league. Top most players want to participate and BCCI is proud to introduce this league which others want to follow.”

Currently, the IPL’s media rights are held by Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI), a deal that comes to an end after the event’s next edition in 2017.

According to the invitation, different packages for Television and Digital will be on offer, which includes Indian Subcontinent TV rights for 2018-2027, Indian Subcontinent Digital rights will be for five seasons from 2018-2022 and there will a five minutes delay for TV transmission.

As part of the process of bidding, BCCI said there will be no obligation for the Indian Board to accept the highest financial bid and BCCI retains the discretion to amend process at any time.

“It is in keeping with the highest level of transparency.  Sometimes you get very similar bids and then the financial adviser look at the value of the money. The final definition of the best offer for BCCI have to be left to the financial adviser,” BCCI CEO Rahul Johri said.

“India still is a highly TV dominant country and we have to give it prominence over digital. However if the same person wins both TV and digital and if they wrote to BCCI, the five minute delay can be done away with.”