English movie channels bet on 11 pm slot during IPL
By ASHWIN
Insearchindia.com Team
(5 April 2012 7:05 pm)
MUMBAI: English movie channels are once again gunning for
the 11 pm slot during the Indian Premier league (IPL), targeting men and youth with action and horror titles as they expect a spillover from IPL audiences to the genre.
The lineup this year will see bigger titles and higher marketing spends across the English movie channels at the late hour band, as viewership for the 9 pm slot gets impacted with the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. The window gets open at 11 pm when the IPL matches end.
Pix, the channel which made remarkable progress last year after it had access to the library of parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment, is upping the ante this year.
Says Pix business head Sunder Aaron, "We are doubling our marketing budget for Pix Premier League. The good news for us is that ratings during 11 pm have not fallen. The titles we are showing this year are bigger."
Pix will air movies like 'Salt', 'Hannibal' and 'Resident Evil'. The channel from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable is also doing cross-promotional schemes with Max.
"Since IPL matches are going to be on our sister channel Max, we can do a lot more in terms of marketing compared to competition. We are giving our viewers the chance to win DLF IPL match tickets daily. Viewers watching our film every night can answer a question asked during it and stand a chance to win tickets to the next IPL match," says Aaron.
Star Movies will have 'Superstar League Adventures’ that will showcase blockbusters every night at 11 pm after an IPL match. The initiative will telecast films of stars like Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Nicholas Cage and Harrison Ford.
The broadcaster has also created a contest on its Facebook fan page. People have to answer two questions every day – one based on the movie and another on cricket. Winners will be given goodies.
Movies Now, however, is staying away from a theme centring around cricket. It will air horror and suspense films like 'The Exorcist' to build a consumer connect.
Says Times Television Network CEO English channels Ajay Trigunayat, "We have come out with the 'Atmos-Fear' theme. Our aim is to build a consumer connect."
HBO will launch the fourth season of 'Hollywood Premiere League (HPL)on 16 April, showing films under this brand from 11:15 pm onwards every night. Building a momentum, the two-month long festival will offer blockbusters soon after the IPL matches get over.
HPL will showcase films like 'Clash Of The Titans', 'Speedy Singhs', 'No Strings Attached' and 'Jonah Hex'. Dove has come in as the title sponsor, Make my Trip as the presenting sponsor and Coke and Colgate as associate sponsors.
HPL will be promoted across various English TV channels. Outdoor campaigns and radio promotions will be carried out in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. HBO will also use multi-faceted social media and digital medium to promote the property.
The initiative will also have interactivity, both on-air and online. On-air, HBO has introduced the six-week long watch-and-win HPL Master Blaster Contest, where the participants can win the latest iPad. The contest is being promoted on air and is integrated with the broadcaster's social media community.
HPL was announced in the social media domain beginning of the month, highlighting the on-air promotions ahead of its fourth edition roll-out. Facebook users will be able to create their own HPL Dream-Team through an user integrated application.
Along the with Dream-Team application, fans can create their own cheerleaders to support the Dream –Team. Additionally, the user has options to, ‘brush up your cricket lingos’ and ‘tweet the name of your favourite movie'.
The on-air properties include 'HPL- Matches Of The Week' - a ready menu of the matches of the week for viewers and 'HPL Memories'- capturing the most memorable moments from HPL movies.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
MSM to launch sports channel Six on 7 April
Insearchindia.com Team
(5 April 2012 2:34pm)
MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) will launch Six, a sports entertainment channel and the sixth channel in the MSM network bouquet, on 7 April.
Six's driver property will be UFC Mixed Martial Arts and the best of the first 4 seasons of IPL. The channel will also show soccer, badminton and basketball.
The channel will target youth and provide a mix of entertainment and sports.
The channel has already signed a partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship to broadcast UFC programming in India and the rest of the subcontinent. MSM’s new sports channel will deliver the Mixed Martial Arts property to Indian fans by airing live UFC events, taped specials, and exciting bouts from the vast UFC library.
Six's viewers will have access to a wide array of sporting content on sonysix.com.
MSM CEO Man Jit Singh said, "We are excited to launch our new Premium Sports Entertainment channel – Six. The channel will launch with the key driver property being UFC Mixed Martial Arts and the best of the first four seasons of the DLF IPL. This latest offering from our bouquet reiterates our commitment to bring the best in every genre to young audiences. Six is aimed at the informed and empowered youth of the country who are enthusiastic to adopt new sports. We are confident that Six will be the Premier Sports channel and stand out by fulfilling its promise to cater to the twin passions of the country – Sports and Entertainment."
MSM COO NP Singh said, "Six will skew younger catering to India's appetite for Indian and the counterpart International Sports leagues. Six will provide a platform for Indian athletes to showcase their talent and will fuel India's aspirations to excel globally. We will invest in new Sports... Sports that the new-age "India on the move" youth want to watch and follow."
Insearchindia.com Team
(5 April 2012 2:34pm)
MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) will launch Six, a sports entertainment channel and the sixth channel in the MSM network bouquet, on 7 April.
Six's driver property will be UFC Mixed Martial Arts and the best of the first 4 seasons of IPL. The channel will also show soccer, badminton and basketball.
The channel will target youth and provide a mix of entertainment and sports.
The channel has already signed a partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship to broadcast UFC programming in India and the rest of the subcontinent. MSM’s new sports channel will deliver the Mixed Martial Arts property to Indian fans by airing live UFC events, taped specials, and exciting bouts from the vast UFC library.
Six's viewers will have access to a wide array of sporting content on sonysix.com.
MSM CEO Man Jit Singh said, "We are excited to launch our new Premium Sports Entertainment channel – Six. The channel will launch with the key driver property being UFC Mixed Martial Arts and the best of the first four seasons of the DLF IPL. This latest offering from our bouquet reiterates our commitment to bring the best in every genre to young audiences. Six is aimed at the informed and empowered youth of the country who are enthusiastic to adopt new sports. We are confident that Six will be the Premier Sports channel and stand out by fulfilling its promise to cater to the twin passions of the country – Sports and Entertainment."
MSM COO NP Singh said, "Six will skew younger catering to India's appetite for Indian and the counterpart International Sports leagues. Six will provide a platform for Indian athletes to showcase their talent and will fuel India's aspirations to excel globally. We will invest in new Sports... Sports that the new-age "India on the move" youth want to watch and follow."
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Chennai Super Kings launches IPL 5 merchandise
(4 April 2012 10:10am)
MUMBAI: IPL franchisee from the south Chennai Super Kings is geared up for the fifth season of IPL with the launch of a new range of merchandise that has been designed to incorporate the team spirit and vigour for the upcoming season.
The new range includes T-shirts, caps & accessories, key chains and a variety of home, office products ranging from Rs 200- Rs 2500. The team has also launched exclusive silk ties starting Rs 2500.
India Cements executive president TS Raghupathy said, “We have launched an exciting new range of merchandise for our fans and supporters. The collection will be available both nationally and internationally. We have around 380 outlets in Tamil Nadu for the distribution of the same. Reebok as always would help us to reach out to fans along with other multiple stores. We have tied up with Café Coffee Day, Univercell for the distribution of our merchandise.
To enhance their reach across the globe, CSK tied up with Ingene Entertainment, a Los Angeles based company for promoting the brand, design and distribution of official merchandise worldwide outside India.
"In partnership with Ingene, we’re formally launching our official International store www.ShopSuperKings.comwhich will be exclusively targeted at our global fan-base in USA, Canada, UK, Europe, South Africa, Asia Pacific and other countries," said Raghupathy.
The CSK mascot is named ‘Super Singam’ and the franchisee has launched a new video- ‘Chennai Super Kings Ku raise your hands’. The team has retained all its old sponsors and added new sponsors like Usha, Life OK and Washington Apples.
(4 April 2012 10:10am)
MUMBAI: IPL franchisee from the south Chennai Super Kings is geared up for the fifth season of IPL with the launch of a new range of merchandise that has been designed to incorporate the team spirit and vigour for the upcoming season.
The new range includes T-shirts, caps & accessories, key chains and a variety of home, office products ranging from Rs 200- Rs 2500. The team has also launched exclusive silk ties starting Rs 2500.
India Cements executive president TS Raghupathy said, “We have launched an exciting new range of merchandise for our fans and supporters. The collection will be available both nationally and internationally. We have around 380 outlets in Tamil Nadu for the distribution of the same. Reebok as always would help us to reach out to fans along with other multiple stores. We have tied up with Café Coffee Day, Univercell for the distribution of our merchandise.
To enhance their reach across the globe, CSK tied up with Ingene Entertainment, a Los Angeles based company for promoting the brand, design and distribution of official merchandise worldwide outside India.
"In partnership with Ingene, we’re formally launching our official International store www.ShopSuperKings.comwhich will be exclusively targeted at our global fan-base in USA, Canada, UK, Europe, South Africa, Asia Pacific and other countries," said Raghupathy.
The CSK mascot is named ‘Super Singam’ and the franchisee has launched a new video- ‘Chennai Super Kings Ku raise your hands’. The team has retained all its old sponsors and added new sponsors like Usha, Life OK and Washington Apples.
NGC launches action-themed shows with IPL in mind
Insearchindia.com Team
(4 April 2012 6:05 pm)
MUMBAI: National Geographic Channel will have shows around the action theme this month. Every day at 3 pm and 11 pm, viewers can watch the Deadly Ninjas, Lethal Samurai, Polar bears on prowl, and legendary fighter Bruce Lee pack in the real punches.
From the clash of the Spartans with the Ninjas to the techniques that the king of Kung fu used, to making martial art one of the most fascinating combination of art and science - the programming lineup will give viewers access to relentless action, before, after and in between the battles on the cricket field.
Built for the Kill, which airs from 23 April Monday-Friday at 3 pm, will focus on brutal predators, in the animal kingdom, as they go for the kill. Bruce Lee lives airs from 16- 20 April at 10 pm. This is a documentary about the Martial Arts’ instructor.
'The Deadliest Warrior' airs from Monday - Friday at 11 pm. Warriors from Spartans to Attila the Hun - they will be pitted against each other for the coveted title of the Deadliest Warrior.
NGC Network India and Fox International Channels VP marketing, communication Debarpita Banerjee said, “Viewer interest is at the heart of everything we do. This April, Nat Geo will amplify the action on the cricket field by bringing the best of combat on television. The power- packed programming will give viewers their fill of exciting content, before and after they cheer for their favourite teams in cricket.”
Insearchindia.com Team
(4 April 2012 6:05 pm)
MUMBAI: National Geographic Channel will have shows around the action theme this month. Every day at 3 pm and 11 pm, viewers can watch the Deadly Ninjas, Lethal Samurai, Polar bears on prowl, and legendary fighter Bruce Lee pack in the real punches.
From the clash of the Spartans with the Ninjas to the techniques that the king of Kung fu used, to making martial art one of the most fascinating combination of art and science - the programming lineup will give viewers access to relentless action, before, after and in between the battles on the cricket field.
Built for the Kill, which airs from 23 April Monday-Friday at 3 pm, will focus on brutal predators, in the animal kingdom, as they go for the kill. Bruce Lee lives airs from 16- 20 April at 10 pm. This is a documentary about the Martial Arts’ instructor.
'The Deadliest Warrior' airs from Monday - Friday at 11 pm. Warriors from Spartans to Attila the Hun - they will be pitted against each other for the coveted title of the Deadliest Warrior.
NGC Network India and Fox International Channels VP marketing, communication Debarpita Banerjee said, “Viewer interest is at the heart of everything we do. This April, Nat Geo will amplify the action on the cricket field by bringing the best of combat on television. The power- packed programming will give viewers their fill of exciting content, before and after they cheer for their favourite teams in cricket.”
MSM Discovery expands IPL HD feed on DTH, cable
Insearchindia.com Team
( 4 April 2012 4:22 pm)
MUMBAI: MSM Discovery, the exclusive distribution partner of Multi Screen Media, has signed up Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV and multi system operator Hathway Cable & Datacom for airing of the fifth edition of IPL in high-definition (HD) format.
MSM Discovery has also renewed its HD feed deal with Tata Sky and Sun Direct, the only two DTH operators who had aired the HD feed in the previous season of the Indian Premier League.
MSM Discovery president Rajesh Kaul said, "We will have the IPL HD feed on the main DTH subscribers. Tata Sky and Sun Direct have renewed the deal as they have found value in it. We have also got three other DTH operators in, which gives us a huge reach."
Dish TV CEO RC Venkateish told Insearchindia.com that the deal has been signed and the IPL HD feed will be available on Max HD to all the HD subscribers, free of cost.
"We are in talk with other DTH operators like Videocon d2h," Kaul said.
Hathway Cable & Datacom has bundled the channel with other HD channels in its bouquet. The services are available in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
“The Max HD is a precursor and we will also have HD feed of Sony Entertainment Television and the upcoming sports channel from the MSM bouquet,” Hathway MD and CEO K Jayaraman said.
Hathway customers can buy HD set-top box with 12-18 HD channels and 225 SD channels for Rs 6,666 in the first year. Meanwhile, bundled with broadband at 2 mbps speed the price is Rs 8,888 and for 5 mbps speed it is at Rs 9,999.
"MSOs realise that digitisation is round the corner and will have to compete with DTH. HD service becomes essential in such a scenario where they can tap their premium subscribers," said Kaul.
IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd, which operates its cable TV business under Incablenet brand, is in talks with MSM Discovery. "Our contract with TheOneAlliance (brand of MSM Discovery) expires on 30 April. We are in talks and this also includes the HD feed," said IMCL chief executive officer Nagesh Chabria.
Insearchindia.com Team
( 4 April 2012 4:22 pm)
MUMBAI: MSM Discovery, the exclusive distribution partner of Multi Screen Media, has signed up Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV and multi system operator Hathway Cable & Datacom for airing of the fifth edition of IPL in high-definition (HD) format.
MSM Discovery has also renewed its HD feed deal with Tata Sky and Sun Direct, the only two DTH operators who had aired the HD feed in the previous season of the Indian Premier League.
MSM Discovery president Rajesh Kaul said, "We will have the IPL HD feed on the main DTH subscribers. Tata Sky and Sun Direct have renewed the deal as they have found value in it. We have also got three other DTH operators in, which gives us a huge reach."
Dish TV CEO RC Venkateish told Insearchindia.com that the deal has been signed and the IPL HD feed will be available on Max HD to all the HD subscribers, free of cost.
"We are in talk with other DTH operators like Videocon d2h," Kaul said.
Hathway Cable & Datacom has bundled the channel with other HD channels in its bouquet. The services are available in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
“The Max HD is a precursor and we will also have HD feed of Sony Entertainment Television and the upcoming sports channel from the MSM bouquet,” Hathway MD and CEO K Jayaraman said.
Hathway customers can buy HD set-top box with 12-18 HD channels and 225 SD channels for Rs 6,666 in the first year. Meanwhile, bundled with broadband at 2 mbps speed the price is Rs 8,888 and for 5 mbps speed it is at Rs 9,999.
"MSOs realise that digitisation is round the corner and will have to compete with DTH. HD service becomes essential in such a scenario where they can tap their premium subscribers," said Kaul.
IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd, which operates its cable TV business under Incablenet brand, is in talks with MSM Discovery. "Our contract with TheOneAlliance (brand of MSM Discovery) expires on 30 April. We are in talks and this also includes the HD feed," said IMCL chief executive officer Nagesh Chabria.
IMCL sets foot in Kolkata, acquires two cable networks
Insearchindia.com Team
( 4 April 2012 10:40 pm)
MUMBAI: IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd, the media subsidiary company of Hinduja Ventures Ltd, is setting foot in Kolkata through the acquisition route, ahead of the government's digitisation mandate.
IMCL has picked up 51 per cent stake in two cable networks - Hooghly-based Advanced Multisystem Broadband Communications (AMBC) and Skyvision. With this, the Hinduja-owned multi-system operator (MSO) will have operations in three out of the four metros that fall under the first phase of digitisation.
"We have acquired 51 per cent stake in AMBC and Skyvision as we want to service Kolkata in the digitisation phase. We will be expanding in the other main cities of West Bengal," IMCL chief executive officer Nagesh Chabria told Insearchindia.com.
IMCL is also planning to acquire around 30,000 primary points that will give it access directly to the customer homes. "We plan to invest around Rs 1 billion over one year in that market. We intend to invest Rs 200 million in primary point acquisition and an almost similar amount in network and upgradation. We are looking at ordering 350,000 set-top boxes. This will include demand for second TV and our expansion into the city. We are also confident to recover whatever base AMBC has lost in the past year," said Chabria.
IMCL is setting up a digital head-end in the central part of Kolkata as it plans to expand in the metro, adding to its strong base in Mumbai and Delhi. AMBC already has a head-end that services Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) which falls under the digitisation belt.
Kolkata is a low ARPU (average revenue per user) market. IMCL's strategy will be to test the Kolkata market before it decides to pump in big investments. The MSO already has a licence to operate in Kolkata.
Sources say smaller cable networks are willing to forego stake, allowing the bigger MSOs to fund the digitisation. This also offers a growth opportunity for these networks who are starved of capital to expand.
A media analyst expressed doubts over IMCL's ambitious target of deploying 350,000 STBs in that market over a period of one year. "The investment of Rs 1 billion and 350,000 STBs sounds too high at this stage. All will depend on how that market responds," he said.
The big-tier MSOs have taken the acquisition route to have a presence in Kolkata ahead of digitisation. In Kolkata, Hathway has a presence through its joint venture company, Gujarat Telelinks Pvt Ltd (GTPL), which acquired a 51 per cent stake in Kolkata Cable and Broadband Pariseva. Den Networks chief operating officer Mohammad Ghulam Azhar had earlier told Insearchindia.com that it has acquired a small cable network in Kolkata.
Insearchindia.com Team
( 4 April 2012 10:40 pm)
MUMBAI: IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd, the media subsidiary company of Hinduja Ventures Ltd, is setting foot in Kolkata through the acquisition route, ahead of the government's digitisation mandate.
IMCL has picked up 51 per cent stake in two cable networks - Hooghly-based Advanced Multisystem Broadband Communications (AMBC) and Skyvision. With this, the Hinduja-owned multi-system operator (MSO) will have operations in three out of the four metros that fall under the first phase of digitisation.
"We have acquired 51 per cent stake in AMBC and Skyvision as we want to service Kolkata in the digitisation phase. We will be expanding in the other main cities of West Bengal," IMCL chief executive officer Nagesh Chabria told Insearchindia.com.
IMCL is also planning to acquire around 30,000 primary points that will give it access directly to the customer homes. "We plan to invest around Rs 1 billion over one year in that market. We intend to invest Rs 200 million in primary point acquisition and an almost similar amount in network and upgradation. We are looking at ordering 350,000 set-top boxes. This will include demand for second TV and our expansion into the city. We are also confident to recover whatever base AMBC has lost in the past year," said Chabria.
IMCL is setting up a digital head-end in the central part of Kolkata as it plans to expand in the metro, adding to its strong base in Mumbai and Delhi. AMBC already has a head-end that services Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) which falls under the digitisation belt.
Kolkata is a low ARPU (average revenue per user) market. IMCL's strategy will be to test the Kolkata market before it decides to pump in big investments. The MSO already has a licence to operate in Kolkata.
Sources say smaller cable networks are willing to forego stake, allowing the bigger MSOs to fund the digitisation. This also offers a growth opportunity for these networks who are starved of capital to expand.
A media analyst expressed doubts over IMCL's ambitious target of deploying 350,000 STBs in that market over a period of one year. "The investment of Rs 1 billion and 350,000 STBs sounds too high at this stage. All will depend on how that market responds," he said.
The big-tier MSOs have taken the acquisition route to have a presence in Kolkata ahead of digitisation. In Kolkata, Hathway has a presence through its joint venture company, Gujarat Telelinks Pvt Ltd (GTPL), which acquired a 51 per cent stake in Kolkata Cable and Broadband Pariseva. Den Networks chief operating officer Mohammad Ghulam Azhar had earlier told Insearchindia.com that it has acquired a small cable network in Kolkata.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Star TV bags BCCI rights for Rs 38.51 bn
Insearchindia.com Team
(UPDATED 2 April 2012 10:50 pm)
(2 April 2012 3:35 pm)
MUMBAI: News Corp’s India affiliate, Star TV, has bagged the BCCI media rights for international cricket played in India for a whopping Rs 38.51 billion, surprising all who expected the joint venture entity, ESPN Star Sports, to bid.
Star India bet higher than the only rival bidder Multi Screen Media (formerly Sony Entertainment Television India) for the six-year broadcast and digital rights till 2018. MSM, IPL’s official broadcast rights holder, bid Rs 37 billion to back up its plans to launch a sports channel.
Star will cough up Rs 401.154 million per match, a huge increase compared to Rs 312.50 million that Nimbus Communications was paying for every match when its contract was prematurely terminated by the BCCI last year for non-payment of broadcast rights fee.
According to sources in the BCCI, only five companies had bought the bidding documents with only MSM and Star placing their bids before the marketing committee that had met in Chennai to open the bids. The ones who bought bid documents include Zee, ESPN Software India, and Times Internet, which intended to bid only for the digital rights.
The contract between BCCI and Star TV will cover a total of 96 matches which includes visit by teams like Australia, England, South Africa and Sri Lanka. It also includes domestic events like Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and the Irani Trophy.
The most interesting part of the bidding was that ESS, which operates Star Sports, Star Cricket and ESPN, did not submit the bid even though it bought the tender documents.
“I am glad to announce that Star TV won the bid for six years. The total bid amount is about Rs 3,851 crores (Rs 38.51 billion) for the six year period covering 96 matches. The BCCI is very happy that the BCCI rights are fully evaluated and now I think fully priced,” BCCI president N Srinivasan said, announcing the winning bid.
Star TV India CEO Uday Shankar said the broadcaster would work with ESS to jointly develop the content. “BCCI is a great property and we are overjoyed to have an opportunity to develop it further. It was decided amongst ESPN Star Sports, ESPN and Star that Star would bid for the rights and if Star were to win the rights it would be exploited in collaboration with ESS,” Shankar said in a statement.
For ESS, which has platforms across television, Internet and mobile medium, the BCCI media rights will come as a booster shot. With the India rights expected to be housed under it, ESS can boast of having rights for three of the top four cricket boards which includes Australia and England excluding South Africa, which is owned by Ten Sports. It also holds the global rights for ICC events till 2015 besides Champions League Twenty20 commercial rights till 2017.
Commenting on the deal, ESPN Star Sports MD Manu Sawhney said, "ESS is very pleased that STAR has secured the BCCI rights for the period 2012 to 2018. It was decided by the ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) Board that the most preferred way for these rights is for STAR to bid with the understanding that should they win, they would utilize these rights in partnership with ESPN STAR Sports. We look forward to continue to enhance fans’ engagement with the game.”
The BCCI had clubbed the digital with the TV broadcast rights, setting a floor price of Rs 322.5 million (Rs 312.5 million plus Rs 10 million for new media rights) per international game for category A and Rs 340 million (Rs 330 million plus 10 million for new media rights) per game for category B.
The new media rights, which were not part of the earlier rights package with Nimbus, had failed to draw attention as it was highly priced. The BCCI had twice floated tenders fixing base price at Rs 30 and Rs 20 million respectively.
India's FTP at home for the period is as follows:
Year
Team
No of Match
2012 New Zealand 3 Tests
2012-2013 England 4 Tests, 1T20, 7 ODIs
2013 Australia 4 Tests, 7ODIs, 1 T20
2014 West Indies 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20
2015 South Africa 3 Tests, 7 ODIs, 2 T20s
2015 Sri Lanka 3 Tests
2016 New Zealand 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20
2016 England 4 Tests, 7 ODIs, 1 T20
2017 Australia 4 Tests, 7 ODIs, 2 T20s
2018 Sri Lanka 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 2 T20s
Insearchindia.com Team
(UPDATED 2 April 2012 10:50 pm)
(2 April 2012 3:35 pm)
MUMBAI: News Corp’s India affiliate, Star TV, has bagged the BCCI media rights for international cricket played in India for a whopping Rs 38.51 billion, surprising all who expected the joint venture entity, ESPN Star Sports, to bid.
Star India bet higher than the only rival bidder Multi Screen Media (formerly Sony Entertainment Television India) for the six-year broadcast and digital rights till 2018. MSM, IPL’s official broadcast rights holder, bid Rs 37 billion to back up its plans to launch a sports channel.
Star will cough up Rs 401.154 million per match, a huge increase compared to Rs 312.50 million that Nimbus Communications was paying for every match when its contract was prematurely terminated by the BCCI last year for non-payment of broadcast rights fee.
According to sources in the BCCI, only five companies had bought the bidding documents with only MSM and Star placing their bids before the marketing committee that had met in Chennai to open the bids. The ones who bought bid documents include Zee, ESPN Software India, and Times Internet, which intended to bid only for the digital rights.
The contract between BCCI and Star TV will cover a total of 96 matches which includes visit by teams like Australia, England, South Africa and Sri Lanka. It also includes domestic events like Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and the Irani Trophy.
The most interesting part of the bidding was that ESS, which operates Star Sports, Star Cricket and ESPN, did not submit the bid even though it bought the tender documents.
“I am glad to announce that Star TV won the bid for six years. The total bid amount is about Rs 3,851 crores (Rs 38.51 billion) for the six year period covering 96 matches. The BCCI is very happy that the BCCI rights are fully evaluated and now I think fully priced,” BCCI president N Srinivasan said, announcing the winning bid.
Star TV India CEO Uday Shankar said the broadcaster would work with ESS to jointly develop the content. “BCCI is a great property and we are overjoyed to have an opportunity to develop it further. It was decided amongst ESPN Star Sports, ESPN and Star that Star would bid for the rights and if Star were to win the rights it would be exploited in collaboration with ESS,” Shankar said in a statement.
For ESS, which has platforms across television, Internet and mobile medium, the BCCI media rights will come as a booster shot. With the India rights expected to be housed under it, ESS can boast of having rights for three of the top four cricket boards which includes Australia and England excluding South Africa, which is owned by Ten Sports. It also holds the global rights for ICC events till 2015 besides Champions League Twenty20 commercial rights till 2017.
Commenting on the deal, ESPN Star Sports MD Manu Sawhney said, "ESS is very pleased that STAR has secured the BCCI rights for the period 2012 to 2018. It was decided by the ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) Board that the most preferred way for these rights is for STAR to bid with the understanding that should they win, they would utilize these rights in partnership with ESPN STAR Sports. We look forward to continue to enhance fans’ engagement with the game.”
The BCCI had clubbed the digital with the TV broadcast rights, setting a floor price of Rs 322.5 million (Rs 312.5 million plus Rs 10 million for new media rights) per international game for category A and Rs 340 million (Rs 330 million plus 10 million for new media rights) per game for category B.
The new media rights, which were not part of the earlier rights package with Nimbus, had failed to draw attention as it was highly priced. The BCCI had twice floated tenders fixing base price at Rs 30 and Rs 20 million respectively.
India's FTP at home for the period is as follows:
Year
Team
No of Match
2012 New Zealand 3 Tests
2012-2013 England 4 Tests, 1T20, 7 ODIs
2013 Australia 4 Tests, 7ODIs, 1 T20
2014 West Indies 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20
2015 South Africa 3 Tests, 7 ODIs, 2 T20s
2015 Sri Lanka 3 Tests
2016 New Zealand 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20
2016 England 4 Tests, 7 ODIs, 1 T20
2017 Australia 4 Tests, 7 ODIs, 2 T20s
2018 Sri Lanka 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 2 T20s
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