LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sold its broadcasting rights for the Pakistan region from August 2024 to December 2026 for Rs1.72 billion, significantly below its reserve price of Rs3.2 billion. The deal, awarded to the ARY and Tower Sports consortium, is Rs1.48 billion short of the reserve price, according to sources.
The PCB announced last week that ARY and Tower Sports won the rights for “all home international cricket” during this period, following a “transparent tender process.” The 28-month season will feature 11 Tests, including seven in the 2024-25 season, 26 ODIs, and 24 T20Is, with two three-nation ODI series included.
Sources revealed that Pakistan Television (PTV) had bid Rs1.6 billion but did not increase its offer to compete with the successful consortium’s bid. PTV later secured a sub-licensing deal for Rs500 million from the consortium, resulting in a profitable arrangement for both parties.
Despite the PCB having the option to cancel the bid process after receiving a bid significantly lower than the reserve price, it chose to accept the consortium’s offer. The reserve price was initially set at Rs3.2 billion, reduced to Rs2.2 billion, and then reinstated to Rs3.2 billion before the final bid.
Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar reportedly tried to influence the decision to favor PTV, but the PCB’s bid committee awarded the rights to the highest bidder.
The PCB has not disclosed specific bid amounts or reserve prices, citing confidentiality. However, the board stated that the deal was more than double the value of the previous rights cycle (FTP 2021 to 2024). According to PEMRA regulations, such information is generally public.
