The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) is all set to sign with a Dubai based company IPG for production rights for the next three years cycle, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Unlike in previous years, this time SLC floated three separate tenders for TV and radio broadcast rights, TV production rights and digital broadcast rights spanning the next three years in view of its partnership with Sony (formerly Ten Sports) ended on March 31 this year. This is the first time SLC floated digital rights separately. The process took place on February 21, however, unhappy with the bids received, SLC decided to go to the market once more (TV/radio and digital) seeking a more competitive offer.
However, SLC didn’t re-tender for the production rights, as the best offer was US$ 4.39 million by IPG, which the Tender Evaluation Committee (TEC) was “satisfied” with.
“IPG proposal for the production rights met TEC specified standards, like past experience in covering ICC FTP, financial status, production quality, equipment, graphics etc, and the price off course. even for Sri Lanka Cricket, IPG has the experience of covering Nidahas Trophy in 2018” a top SLC official told Cricket Age, when inquired about the development.
In addition, IPG, in past has provided TV production services to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), most notably for World XI and PSL 2019 and has also provided services for UAE T10 League in 2018, Abu Dhabi T10 2019, Women’s Asia Cup Final 2017. When inquired, Babar Hamid, Director Commercial, PCB, also confirmed IPG association with Pakistan Cricket.
Cricket Age understands that the SLC to put an exit clause as well, while signing IPG for production rights for the next three years cycle.
For the broadcasting rights, currently, SLC is accepting new proposals from potential bidders once again, after going for re-tendering on March 1. The board, so far, has received proposals from 9 potential bidders.
“The main reason for going for re-tender is that bidders had wanted the board to negotiate their terms with them rather than re-floating the tender. But the SLC stood firm” the top SLC official added further.
Broadcast rights are a vital revenue source for SLC and the national team’s performance plays a vital role in getting a good deal. Sri Lanka sits low in the ranking across all formats – 6th in Test and 8th in ODI and T20 rankings – but has shown some signs of improvement during recently concluded ODI series against West Indies, where home side emerged winner 3-0.
