|
MUMBAI:
Sony, in partnership with World Sport Group, has bagged the
10-year telecast rights for the BCCI's upcoming Indian Premier
League (IPL). The Sony-WSG bid was worth $1.026 billion.
As
part of the deal, Sony and Singapore headquartered WSG will
pay the BCCI $ 918 million for the telecast rights and $ 108
million for the promotion of the tournament.
This
is Sony's second big ticket cricket acquisition after it put
down a then record $ 208 million for ICC telecast rights in
2002.
The
IPL is scheduled to kick off on 18 April, 2008. It is expected
to have top international players from different countries
participate. It is based on the franchise model where corporates
can bid to own a state team.
IPL
chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi who is also BCCI VP said,
"We are absolutely delighted that, after an open and
transparent process, we have what we believe to be the best
deal for the Indian Premier League and Indian cricket fans.
All the bids received were of a very high standard and we
would like to thank all of the organisations for their submissions.
However, the IPL Governing Council was unanimous in the view
that the Sony Max and World Sport Group bid was the best,
and we believe that the IPL will significantly benefit from
an agreement with Sony Max and World Sport Group."
Sony
CEO Kunal Dasgupta says, "This acquisition reaffirms
our commitment to the Indian sub-continent and the global
cricket fan alike. We are absolutely delighted to bring the
exciting IPL line-up of Indian and international cricketers
to millions of cricket fans globally. At Sony Max and World
Sport Group we have done some pioneering work in showcasing
cricket in an entertaining and informative way and we will
continue to innovate and extend the excitement of cricket
through the IPL. We are honoured to have been selected as
the IPL's Global Media Rights Partner."
The
next step is the opening of the franchise bids. Since many
global entities have evinced interest in IPL franchise ownership;
the BCCI and the Governing Council of the IPL have decided
to extend the dates for submission and opening of bids from
18 January to 24 January. All the tenders for the eight franchises
will be opened at 11 am on 24 January.
IPL
will feature eight franchises and will run for 44 days. Each
franchise will play all others on a home and away basis with
seven matches at home. The top four franchises in the league
will contest the semi finals and the victorious semi finalists
will meet in the Grand Final all over one weekend.
The
inaugural season of the IPL will showcase 59 matches providing
spectators with 177 hours of what the BCCI calls live 'family
entertainment', which will also be viewed by a significant
international audience. All matches will be during late afternoon
and evening to coincide with prime time for television and
providing a convenient time for the stadium audience. The
BCCI is counting on the fact that the twenty20 format will
attract women and children besides the male TG.
|
