Massive Setback To PCB Ahead Of ICC Champions Trophy As Board Set To Suffer Heavy Losses Due To...

PCB To Suffer Heavy Losses Ahead Of Champions Trophy As Media Rights For PAK vs ENG Series Goes Unsold (Source: PTI)

In what comes as a massive blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB ), the international media rights for the Pakistan vs England Test series went unsold. The series is set to get underway on October 7 in Multan, but the PCB doesn't have an international broadcaster which means that there is a possibility of the series not being telecasted outside Pakistan. This would also mean a massive financial setback for the board.

As per a report in Cricketpakistan, PCB demanded $21 million for a three-year international media rights deal, but no bid came close to meeting this figure. The PCB received a joint bid from two Pakistani companies that amounted to around $4.1 million, while Willow TV offered $2.25 million, however, PCB didn't agree. The highest bid came from a foreign company Sports Five, who offered $7.8 million but PCB rejected it as they didn't want to sell the rights at such a low figure.

PCB then conducted a re-tendering process solely for the home series against New Zealand and the women’s series against the West Indies. Two Pakistan companies offered a joint bid of $99,000 and PCB agreed to the deal. The PCB also attempted to sell international media rights for the 2024-26 period but no bid was even close to the 50 percent of the demand. Sky Sports has been the broadcaster of Pakistan cricket in the UK but the channel showed no interest in purchasing the rights. As per PCB sources, the board could sell the rights at lower price, however, they would incur massive losses due to the same.

The dip in popularity of Pakistan cricket could be linked to their underwhelming performances in recent times that saw them lose a Test series to Bangladesh at home. The team also performed poorly when England last toured Pakistan in 2022, suffering a 3-0 defeat.

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