The Board of Control for Cricket in India decided to reduce the Indian Premier League media rights tender period from 10 years to five, according to K. Shriniwas Rao of the TIMES OF INDIA. The previous media rights tender invitation which was floated on Sept. 19 -- but was not opened on the scheduled date (Oct. 25) because of "the long-standing legal battle in the Supreme Court involving the BCCI old guard" -- was stipulated for a period of 10 years (broadcast) and five years (digital). The new Invitation To Tender, to be "brought out immediately after the day of the IPL 2017 final" -- May 21 -- will now be for a collective period of "just five years" for both broadcast and digital. The decision to bring down the rights period by five years "will ensure that the rights next come up for renewal just before" the Int'l Cricket Council media rights in '23. It "is being seen as a masterstroke by the cricket industry." This move "eradicates doubts to an extent of there not being a level-playing field" for all bidders, unlike the previous ITT that "appeared to have put" TV broadcasters in position to "sweep all rights" (TIMES OF INDIA, 4/13).
