IPL Telecast Rights Sale expected at Rs 1,000 cr
November 26, 2007 • Indian Premier League
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to issue tender forms for broadcasting rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the coming week. According to industry sources, five year telecast rights of the League could go over Rs. 1000 crore. Broadcasters who are expected to be in the run up for the telecast rights are Nimbus Communications, Sony Entertainment Television and ESPN-Star Sports.
When contacted BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi said, “The BCCI will meet on Monday (November 26) and then it will be decided as to when the tender document should be made available.”
Broadcasters are not sure yet if the telecast rights will be for a period of five years or ten years. “Ten years is too long a period and channels may not be willing to block money for a ten year period,” added a source.
The IPL, which will start off in April 2008, will host 56 matches in the Twenty20 format and will have international and domestic cricketers playing in eight teams.