Zee strikes 3-year distribution deal with Ten Sports

New Delhi, Apr 4 (UNI) Country's leading media conglomerate Zee Group said it has entered into a three-year contract with Ten Sports to move into the Zee-Turner bouquet.

The move taken by Ten Sports comes after the expiry of its three-year contract with Sony Entertainment Television (Set) India, CEO Taj Television Ltd, Ten Sports Chris McDonald told reporters here.

The company refused to disclose any financial details but Mr McDonald said, ''the amount is big and I am happy with the amount invested because after the expiry of the contract with Sony Entertainment, we found Zee Turner as the most appropriate partner to take forward the deal as they have better infrastructure and reach.'' ''We expect the total business to grow by 25 per cent and for Ten Sports by 20 per cent,'' said Zee Turner Executive Vice President (Sales) Dinesh Jain said.

The Zee Sports and Ten Sports combination will be available to the viewers at Rs 26.70, which is less than any other sports subscription available in the country.

Zee Group has entered into a three-year contract and reports had quoted the minimum guarantee price at about Rs 320 crore. This is higher than Sony's payout of Rs 240 crore for a similar period.

Zee had a 50 per cent stake in Ten Sports, acquiring it in 2006 for 57.15 million dollars.

Ten Sports has left the One Alliance and has become part of the Zee-Turner bouquet from April 1.

''Zee has five million subscribers, which we aim to increase to six million in the next 12-18 months,'' Mr Jain said.

UNI AK PDT KN1133