| MUMBAI:
Taj Television, which owns and operates Ten Sports, has signed a $15 million syndication
deal with Fox Sports that would run up to 2012. The
multi-platform deal is inked with Premier Media Group, the owner and operator
of Australia's Fox Sports. Though
Taj TV did not disclose the commercial terms, Indiantelevision.com learns that
the value of the syndication deal is $15 million. Under
the agreement, Taj TV will syndicate to Fox Sports its entire portfolio of international
cricket rights for Australia. The deal will include all international matches
in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe, as well as the Hong Kong Sixes. The
syndication deal starts with the much-anticipated Australia tour of Pakistan,
which will be played in the neutral territory of the United Arab Emirates. The
two teams will battle it out in five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match
in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taj
Television CEO Chris McDonald says, “Australia is one of world cricket’s
most important markets and similarly Fox Sports is one of the globe’s leading
and most innovative sports channels. We are very pleased to have signed this wide-ranging
and long-term deal which includes a minimum of five Australian bilateral tours."
Adds Fox Sports
director acquisitions and programming Tony Sinclair, “Fox Sports is delighted
broaden its coverage of the international game and most importantly to give fans
in Australia the opportunity to watch international matches all year round.” Also
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