BCB to invite bidders for media rights

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued a tender to sell worldwide media rights for six years until 2020. Two India tours to Bangladesh and a slightly enlarged international schedule during this period are what the BCB are hoping would attract bidders, who have to submit their proposals by May 8.

Interested parties can start buying tenders from April 27 till May 8. There will be an open auction on May 12, which Kazi Inam Ahmed, the BCB's marketing and commercial committee chairman, believes will ensure the best valuation for the board. He has laid the groundwork to devise the best way to find a suitable broadcaster, which now includes an eligibility clause that will enable Bangladeshi TV channels to apply.

"We are going to hold an open auction on May 12 which we believe will allow us to find the best possible offer," Inam said. "This time the tender will be slightly different as broadcasters with a year's experience in the business can also apply. Over the last two years, we have found out that local TV channels are capable of handling this type of work."

This is BCB's second attempt to find a new broadcaster, having been frustrated by the lack of considerable offers two years ago.

Their last such long-term deal was with Nimbus, which lasted till early 2012. It was a botched-up six-year deal, from which the BCB did not get the full contracted amount till date. For the last three home bilateral series (West Indies in 2012, New Zealand in 2013 and Sri Lanka in 2014) therefore, the BCB had to bring on single-series broadcasters, including local TV stations Channel 9 and Maasranga TV.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan had confirmed in February that India had signed the Members' Participation Agreement to tour in 2014, 2015 and 2020. This year a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and a Test series against Zimbabwe are planned, while Pakistan, South Africa and Australia are also scheduled to tour next year.