ESPN-STAR Sports, Zee Network, Vatsa Television Network and a number of air-time buyers like Stracon India and 21st Century Media have bid for the four-year contract to telecast matches in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

CSI, a leading global programming and marketing agent which represents the four different cricket boards, has accepted the bids and will take a final decision by the month-end.

"We are surprised at the level of interest and the price that broadcasters are willing to pay. India has become a very competitive market with several new players entering the field," CSI International Project Director Sean Nicholls told The Financial Express.

Though Nicholls refused to divulge the acquisition price offered by differentbroadcasters, market sources said ESPN had bid $23 million while the lowest offer was worth $15 million. Vatsa Television Network, which runs the Vatsa Music channel, put its bid at $26 million. Stracon India chief executive officer Siddharth Ray did not give the exact amount but said it was between $15 million and $26 million.

ESPN's rights expire in the different countries by the end of this year and early next year. The sporting channel is estimated to have paid $6 million to CSI for the last contract. While ESPN's contract with the Zimbabwe Cricket Board has already expired, the rights for the Australian Board end with the coming season against Pakistan. The New Zealand board will have a fresh contract after the Australian tour early next year.

For ESPN, winning the rights will be crucial. The sports channel has already lost the five-year broadcasting rights for domestic and international cricket in India.

The exclusive satellite and terrestrial telecast rights will be spread over 132 one-dayinternationals and 58 test matches in four years ending February 2004. India will be involved in 30 one-dayers and 14 tests. "The rights will cover all of Asia," Nicholls said.

The production of the matches in Australia will be done by Channel 9 while South Africa will use the services of South African Broadcasting Corporation. CSI will take care of production in Zimbabwe and SKY in the matches at New Zealand.

Will CSI look at the broadcaster's reach like the Board of Control for Cricket in India did when it awarded the rights to Prasar Bharati? It will not be an important criteria, said Nicholls. "We are given a mandate to maximise the revenue for each of the cricket boards. But we are also looking at a broadcaster with whom we can work in confidence."

As no major cricket telecast rights are available in the short-run, the four-nation board could be a property broadcasters are keen to acquire. "India only plays four series. But from an Asian perspective, it is definitely a hot property. Cricketingnations like Pakistan and Sri Lanka are involved in a substantial number of matches," said Ray.