BCCI cancels all previous tenders – ZEE back in!

The Indian cricket TV rights are back in the news.

A press conference held earlier today in New Delhi has seen the new BCCI team led by Sharad Pawar reveal details about marketing strategies for Indian cricket, including media rights.

It was also confirmed that all previous tenders for the past two bids have now been cancelled and a new bidding details will be announced shortly.

This automatically results in ZEE being back in the race to win the rights. Certainly seems like the awarding process has been changed to facilitate ZEE Telefilms’ participation. IndianTelevision.com point out that by handing ZEE Sports the satellite telecast rights for the ongoing India-Sri Lanka Test matches, in a way the BCCI has recognised ZEE’s eligibility to bid for domestic cricket for the next four years.

The new deal will also see satellite TV rights in India being separate to DTH satellite rights. The new TV rights will also not include rights for Internet and radio broadcasts, these will be sold separately.