Broadcaster issues hinder India-Pakistan series planning

The issue of broadcast rights could determine the fate of the Pakistan-India series, scheduled for the end of this year. The rights to Pakistan's home matches are held by Ten Sports; however, the BCCI has a public and long-running problem with Ten's owners, the Essel Group, and this could become a sticking point.

The series has come into focus now, more than six months before it is due to start and even before the two governments have signed off on it, following statements made by PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who was in India meeting BCCI officials over the past few days. Shaharyar was quoted in Indian newspapers on Wednesday as saying that his board's hands were tied with respect to Ten Sports because it won the bid by paying $60 million more than the competing bidder.

A way around this could involve the BCCI asking the PCB to play the series in India. This would give the PCB a major chunk of the revenue because it would still be their 'home' series but it would involve a different broadcaster.

Shaharyar also said the BCCI's objections to Ten Sports had not been formally stated in writing, which might have allowed the PCB to keep Ten Sports out of the bidding process on grounds of acceptability.

"We have said that if you (BCCI) have a problem with Ten Sports or the Essel Group, just let us know in writing that because of this problem, we would not like X company to bid for the series, because of their association with anti-BCCI activities," Shaharyar told Mint. "We were never told in writing, even though we asked for it. You write to us and we will do what is necessary, because legally, our position is then established that the BCCI is not willing to accept a particular broadcaster."

However, any change of broadcaster is likely to be strongly opposed by Ten Sports. Rajesh Sethi, CEO of Ten Sports, told ESPNcricinfo that they would explore all options to protect themselves if pushed into a corner.

"We are not going to let it go so easily. We are the legal rights holder for the contract (Pakistan home series). There are financial guarantees that have been provided. If there is something on which we feel there is not a ethical and fair push to us we have every right to defend and we will strongly defend," Sethi said on Wednesday.

He said that neither Shaharyar nor anyone from PCB had brought up the issue of thinking of an alternate broadcaster for the India series if the BCCI or ICC sent them in writing that they did not want Ten Sports as the broadcaster. "No one has brought up this issue with us. We talk to them everyday on various different things on which we are partners. So had this been a point in case it would have been discussed."

Sethi said he believed the reports were speculative at the moment. "Beyond the contractual arrangements we also share a huge moral partnership and a strong relationship with various cricket boards and stood with each other through thick and thin. And none of them has ever brought any such issue or discussion point with us where they have even thought of Ten Sports being a partner not being an option. So I will call all this extremely speculative. I will call this not having a strong base at least as of now."

Sethi also pointed out that the BCCI had never interfered with Ten Sports or created hurdles for the broadcaster anywhere in the cricketing globe, at least over the last couple of years. "To be fair to BCCI, no. We have never faced any challenges," he said.

The problem could recur during India's proposed tour of Zimbabwe for a limited-overs series in July, and the tour of Sri Lanka for three Tests in August. Ten Sports hold Zimbabwe Cricket's terrestrial rights for the Indian subcontinent, and could win the rights to the Sri Lanka series too.

It could not be ascertained if the BCCI has held formal or informal discussions with Zimbabwe Cricket with regard to withdrawing Ten Sports as a broadcaster for the India series. The Sri Lanka series could only be in jeopardy if Ten Sports wins the broadcast rights for the India series. Since India's tour to Sri Lanka wasn't included in SLC's deal with Ten Sports, SLC has invited bids for broadcast rights for the three-Test series.

The BCCI's well-documented problems with the Essel Group include the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2007 - a T20 tournament that preceded the IPL but was marginalised into shutting down by the Indian board. There have been subsequent court disputes between the two parties. The Essel Group has also been publicly speaking about a new breakaway Twenty20 league.