(Source X)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has encountered further challenges in securing international media rights, as recent bids fell short of its expectations. The PCB had issued tenders for broadcast television, digital, audio, web, and mobile platforms for all global territories, covering the period from August 2024 to December 2026.
The upcoming home series for the Pakistan cricket team will commence with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh on August 21. Additionally, Pakistan will host England for a Test series in October, with further tours planned by Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies, in line with the team’s Future Tour Programs (FTP).
Throughout the 2024-2026 cycle, the Pakistan cricket team is set to play 61 matches across various formats, including 11 Test matches, 26 ODIs, and 24 T20Is. To aid in the sale of international television rights, the PCB enlisted former International Cricket Council (ICC) official Campbell Jamieson.
However, the PCB’s efforts to sell the international media rights have not met their expectations. The latest bid received was only half the value of the previously canceled bid. The cricket board had set a valuation of approximately $21 million for a three-year period, but none of the bids reached this target.
A Pakistani company has submitted the highest bid of $7.85 million for international media rights.
A consortium comprising a Pakistani media group, a private company, and international bidders Willow and Sports Five took part in the auction for media rights. Sports Five emerged with the highest bid of $7.8 million.
The Pakistani consortium offered approximately $4.1 million, while Willow’s bid stood at $2.25 million. Since the reserve price was not met, the PCB proposed an increased bid amount, prompting a new round of offers.
In the second round, Sports Five maintained their bid of $7.8 million, but the Pakistani consortium raised their offer to $7.85 million. Despite this, the PCB rejected both bids as they still fell short of the reserve price.
A new tender was subsequently issued for the home series against New Zealand and the women’s series against the West Indies. In this round, Pakistani companies collectively bid $99,000 (around 27.6 million Pakistani rupees), Willow offered $75,000, and Sports Five bid $50,000.
The Pakistan Cricket Board received a bid 50% lower than the one it rejected.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced another setback in its attempt to sell international media rights, as the most recent bid fell to just $3.5 to $4 million—only half of the previous bid that was rejected. Despite the involvement of a former ICC official in the process, the highest bid came from a consortium of a Pakistani media group and a private company.
With this latest offer being significantly lower than the previously declined bid, the PCB has decided to cancel the current auction and will seek alternative solutions.
