Pakistan court bars ZEE Network-PTV deal

A Pakistan court has halted a deal between ZEE Network and its state broadcaster, Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) going through due to the former being owned by an Indian entity.

The two broadcasters were to join hands as ZEE Network’s Ten Sports was to sub-license broadcast rights for ICC cricket matches during 2012-15 to PTV.

According to Rediff, the Lahore high court said PTV could not conclude its deal with Ten Sports subject to the condition that the privately owned Independent Music Group, which operates the Geo Super sports channel, deposits two million US dollars.

The court issued notice to PTV and the federal government to file their responses by Friday 2nd December.

The counsel said Independent Music Group had acquired broadcast rights for Pakistan on cable and satellite from ESPN (Mauritius).

The counsel said after expiry of these rights, ESPN invited bids to broadcast ICC cricket events in Pakistan for four years, including the ICC World Cup 2015.