PCB sells broadcasting rights for home cricket season at lower price than expected: report

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sold the broadcasting rights for home international cricket from August 2024 to December 2026 for Rs1.72 billion. This amount is Rs1.48 billion less than the PCB’s original reserve price of Rs3.2 billion, as reported by a local news outlet.

Last week, the PCB announced that the rights had been awarded to a consortium of ARY and Tower Sports. This deal covers all home international cricket matches, including 11 Tests, 26 ODIs, and 24 T20Is. The 28-month season will also feature two three-nation ODI series.

Despite the PCB’s claims of a transparent tender process, it has been reported that the actual amount received was significantly lower than the reserve price. Pakistan Television (PTV) had offered Rs1.6 billion but did not increase their bid to match the consortium's offer. PTV later acquired the broadcasting rights through sub-licensing from the consortium for Rs500 million, making a profitable deal despite missing out on the main bid.

The PCB had the option to cancel the bid process after receiving such a low offer and start again to achieve a higher price but chose to accept the consortium's bid.

Sources also mentioned that the PCB adjusted the reserve price during the bidding process. Initially set at Rs3.2 billion, it was lowered to Rs2.2 billion before being fixed again at Rs3.2 billion.

Despite efforts from federal information minister Atta Tarar to secure the rights for PTV, the PCB’s bid committee awarded the contract to the highest bidder.

In response to inquiries, the PCB did not disclose the reserve price or specific bid details, citing confidentiality. However, they did confirm that the new deal was more than double the value of the last broadcasting rights cycle.