The Hindu : Front Page : Zee pulls out of deal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 31, 2007
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Zee pulls out of deal

Accuses BCCI of adopting double standards

New Delhi: The BCCI is trying to salvage the coming ODI series against South Africa after Zee Television pulled out of the five-year broadcast deal covering India's matches at neutral venues.

"We have decided to scrap the deal," Senior Vice-President of the Zee Group Ashish Kaul told PTI.

India was to play three one-dayers against South Africa from June 26 to July 1 in Belfast, besides another against host Ireland. The matches were part of 25 games to be telecast by Zee under a $ 2,00,000 contract announced last year.

Mr. Kaul said "the attitude of the BCCI" was to be blamed. "This is because of the double standards adopted by the BCCI. While Nimbus [which holds the telecast rights for matches played in India till 2008-09] was given a hefty rebate on the renegotiated price, they have not even bothered to discuss the issue with us."

Nimbus walks out

The Afro-Asia Cup cricket series is in jeopardy, with rights holder Nimbus walking out of its deal with the Asian Cricket Council. "We will not be part of the event in anyway. We will not be telecasting the event. Neither will we produce nor bring sponsorship for the matches," Nimbus chief Harish Thawani told PTI.

Nimbus' decision comes less than a week from the tournament, scheduled from June 6 to 10 in Bangalore and Chennai.

"This is not a sudden decision. There have been developments in the last few months," Mr. Thawani said. — PTI

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