Zee to bid for telecast rights of ICC

NEW DELHI:: After cornering Indian cricket's broadcast rights for non-ICC countries, Zee Sports is eyeing telecast rights of ICC and cricket boards of countries like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England.

"We are looking at expanding beyond India and will be going after telecast rights of the ICC (which includes World Cups) and other available boards, as and when they come up for renewal," Zee Sports' Vice-President Gaurav Seth said.

The announcement comes days after Zee Sports bagged one of its most-prized properties in BCCI's global media rights for non-ICC countries, for a whopping $ 219 million.

The matches, to be played against top teams like Pakistan, England, Australia, West Indies, would be played at neutral venues like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Holland, the US, the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Asked whether Zee was confident of recovering the hefty amount it pays to BCCI for the five-year rights, Seth said, "Definitely, we will make profits and good money".  He said the BCCI's rights included not only TV telecast rights but also that for broadband and radio not only for the Indian territory but across the globe.