Nimbus signs cricket marketing deal with Bangladesh

DHAKA, Dec 2 (Reuters) Singapore-based Nimbus Communications Ltd. and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have signed a 56.88 million dollar marketing deal, a BCB official said today.

The deal has mandated Nimbus marketing rights for telecasting all international cricket matches including one-day internationals and Tests in Bangladesh for six years until March 31, 2012.

''The deal was signed last evening by top officials of BCB and Nimbus, which had offered the best quote in a November tender,'' the official said.

The other contender for the deal, India's Zee Telefilms Limited trailed Nimbus with a bid of 35.30 million dollar.

The tender, floated late October after a five-year, 11.75 million dollar television rights acquired by ESPN-Star Sports from BCB expired in April, closed on November 8.

But the signing of the deal with Nimbus was delayed due to persistent political unrest in the country.

Under the deal, BCB and Nimbus will share 80 and 20 percent of the earnings, respectively, when returns exceed the tendered (agreed) amount.

BCB will also retain the authority to sell terrestrial and radio rights of the matches to local channels and operators.

The deal also makes it mandatory for Nimbus to telecast Bangladesh domestic crickets for at least 10 days a year, internationally.

Bangladesh, one of the 10 test-playing nations, is expected to play some 40 test-matches and over 100 one-day internationals during the six-year period.

REUTERS PM DS1300