Broadcast officials of four major India companies have voiced their concerns over the transparency in the ICC Media rights procedure.
The International Cricket Council agreed with the demand of major Indian broadcasters to push the bid submission date, moving it from August 22 to August 26, but “too little” time frame and questions over transparency mean that concerns of the parties remain.
Disney Star, Zee, Sony and Viacom reportedly did not take part in the training sessions set up by the international governing body ahead of the actual submission of the bids for the next cycle of ICC tournaments. The objective of these sessions was to get the bidders well versed with the platform through which the submissions would be made.
The concerned companies have raised concerns to the ICC around the transparency over the process of deciding upon the rights for the 2023 to 2031 cycle. Questions have been raised over the entire procedure, with there being disapproval to the fact that the bids will not be made public or even shared among the participants.
“I don’t know if it is a positive move or not, but there is still no guarantee of transparency, clarity and direction for the bidding procedure, something we have been asking for.
Instead of August 22, they have informed us that it will be on August 26. How does it change the situation? They still won’t disclose the bid figures of other parties and what they will do with our bids,”
said an industry executive confirming the ICC mail, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Another representative stated:
“The ICC may not come under the jurisdiction of the Indian courts but as for broadcasting of the ICC events in India, they can always be subject to the Indian law.”
The broadcast companies are also said to be miffed with the BCCI for having not taken up their case.
The ICC had sent out its first Invitation to Tender for the rights in June, for TV only, digital-only and for both. The women’s tournaments have been separated from those of the men’s game, and packages will be available for four and eight years.
