DD has sought bids from Indian and foreign production houses for live television production of these cricket matches to be conducted under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. 

Eligibility criteria for the prospective bidders include, at least three years' experience in production of live television signals of world-class standard for one-day international cricket and test matches and experience of producing programming, including sports programming (preferable cricket events) for at least three major international sports, according to the tender documents. 

The successful bidder will have to provide a minimum of 17-camera coverage and provide a computer scoring system. 

Industry experts said that these conditions ensure that only the likes of WorldTel, BBC's Channel 4 and Kerry Packer's Channel 9, in addition to TWI, remain in the fray for the TV production rights. 

The last date for submission of bids (pre-qualification and financial) is November 11, 2001. The pre-qualification bids shall be opened on the same day and qualified bidders will be announced. 

Bids have also been invited from producers for programmes to be telecast on the new edutainment channel from the DD stable-DD Bharati-scheduled for launch on January 26, 2002. 

The channel will air four hours of health programming, six hours of children's programming and four hours of music, dance and fine arts related programming. Bids, along with pilot episodes, are to be submitted by November 9, 2001.