Zee scraps deal with BCCI

Accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of adopting double-standards on price negotiations over cricket telecast rights, Subhash Chandra's Zee Telefilms has decided to pull out of its five-year deal, estimated at $200 million (about Rs 800 crore), for 25 one-day international matches involving India at neutral international venues.

Zee TV has accused the BCCI of favouring Nimbus Communications, the telecast rights holder for all matches held in India, over Zee Sports by agreeing to reduce its five-year telecast rights fee by 15 per cent (from $612 million to $520 million) following the government's "must-share" sports Bill.

The Sports Broadcasting Signals Bill, which was passed by Parliament last month, makes it mandatory for every sports broadcaster to share its signals "live" with Doordarshan.

Confirming the move, Ashish Kaul, senior vice-president (corporate brand development), Zee Network, said, "We have been requesting the BCCI for a dialogue to re-negotiate terms with us for the last six months, but in vain. Therefore, Zee has decided to pull out of the deal."

He further said, "When the BCCI can re-negotiate its deal with Nimbus Communications (operator of NEO Sports), why can't it reconsider the deal with Zee?"

Sources in the BCCI said Zee's move to form a separate cricket league (India Cricket League) had irked top BCCI officials, which is why they did not agree to re-negotiate on the telecast rights fee.

"Zee's move to launch ICL and its open offer to several current Indian cricketers has irked the board. This may also be a reason for the spat between BCCI and Zee, leading to Zee pulling out of its 25-match agreement," a source close to the development said.

As a direct result of Zee's pullout, the BCCI will now have to find a host broadcaster for the three-ODI series between India and South Africa in Belfast, Ireland.