PTV sublicenses Ten Sports for ICC cricket coverage

Indian TV network Ten Sports has won the Pakistan broadcast rights for ICC cricket matches over the next three years as a sub-licensee of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). The bidding, which was evaluated by a four member committee from the PTV Board of Directors, came after the judgement on 13 December of the Lahore High Court, which called for the state broadcaster to issue fresh tenders. A bid from Independent Media Group and its Geosuper channel, was also considered alongside that of Dubai-based Taj Television, which runs Ten Sports, according to the APP agency. Taj TV reportedly submitted an initial bid on 22 December of US$15 million for the ICC TV rights from 2012-2015, compared with a US$5 million bid put forward by Independent Media Group. On 27 December, Taj TV repeated its offer, which has now been accepted by PTV. The Pakistan broadcaster has notified both parties, and is to share with them full reasons for the decision reached.