Zee likely to reject High Court's offer

Zee Telefilms are almost certain to reject the Bombay High Court's proposal to submit fresh bids for India's cricket rights. Both Zee and ESPN-Star Sports - who went to court in protest against the granting of the rights to Zee - have been given time till Tuesday to decide whether they want to table new bids.

According to a report on indiantelevision.com, it appears that Zee will inform the court on Tuesday of the strength of their original bid. ESPN-Star had questioned the eligibility of Zee's bid, citing their lack of experience in cricket telecasting, and a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice DS Bhandari and Justice DY Chandrachud will preside over the matter.

According to the report, Zee is unlikely to enter into equity collaboration with a foreign partner, ruling out the chance of a joint venture with AOL Time Warner for the sports channel which is set to be launched on Octiber 2.

The much-anticipated Test series against Australia starts on October 6, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India will want the rights dispute resolved well before that. The High Court had proposed that fresh sealed bids be submitted with the Registrar General of the High Court on Wednesday, with the understanding that the rights would be given to the highest bidder. Further, there would be no scope for appeal afterwards.

Zee has already made an initial payment of $20million to the BCCI.