WSG-Nimbus looks to close Lanka cricket telecast deals

(Posted on 6 January 7:00 pm)

National broadcaster Doordarshan has made a written offer to WSG-Nimbus Pvt. Ltd for telecast rights of international cricket in Sri Lanka, Nimbus Communications Chairman Harish Thawani said on Friday.

WSG-Nimbus is a 50:50 joint venture between the UK based WSG plc and India's Nimbus.

Thawani said that while talks were on with other broadcasters too, both primary and secondary, the final decision would cover not just financial considerations but also the kind of exposure that would be achieved.

In this context, a package arrangement involving Doordarshan and a private broadcaster was a possibility, he said.

Thawani added that Nimbus had already finalised a title sponsorship deal for the 14 international tours to be played in the emerald isles over the next three years.

His comments were in response to questions raised about the saleability of the tours. Satish Menon head of Buddha Films, the sports ventures spin-off of Zee Telefilms, had earlier told indiatelevision.com: "Three-year exclusive broadcast rights for international cricket played in Sri Lanka had fallen through because Nimbus' asking price of $25 million was much too high." Thawani retorted that Nimbus had rejected a written offer for telecast rights from Zee Telefilms because of doubts over payment security.

Zee was not in the picture at all at present he said, adding that discussions were still on with other channels whose bids were "more secure".

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