Everybody Wants Cricket…For Free
With the Cricket World Cup around a month away, the rights for Cricket broadcasting have seen in the news. DD telecast the Cricket, under court orders, with a seven minute lag during the recently concluded India-West Indies cricket series, for which Nimbus owned Neo Sports has the rights. I guess that wasn’t good enough for Prasar Bharti - Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting got an ordinance passed to allow DD and All India Radio to telecast Cricket for free, using the argument that the money will be used to subsidize the telecast of less popular sports like kabaddi, womens hockey etc. [Source: The Indian Express]
Frankly, I think good quality of programming is essential for any sport, and DD has never been good enough. Here’s a maverick solution: why not do away with exclusive rights and let everyone have the feed for a minimum support price. Then, quality of programming and distribution will take over…But can such a model sustain the telecast?
Anyway, this is not the end of it - expect more in the days leading up to the World Cup, for which Sony Entertainment Television has rights.
Posted In: Entertainment, Sports, Media & Publishing, TV
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Comments (6)
Feb 6, 2007 6:37 AM
Here is again the case of typical “state” wanting everything for free. While Nimbus bid/won these rights, why didnt DD participate in the same. Can Nimbus tomm turn around and say that as a service to the nation, its taxes be waived off against the opportunity cost of sharing the feed with the state.
Feb 6, 2007 6:50 PM
On one hand you have the government’s propaganda about opening up the economy—and then they’re not ready to face the consequences that the competition will bring ?
I guess thats the single biggest reason that they’re afraid of opening up the Air - India sector to competition. Once they open it, they know they dont stand a chance.
DasMunsi has been on a roll lately—the ban on AXN Tv, then he stepped in the Shilpa Shetty controvery and now this. Looks like he’s on Red Bull.
Feb 7, 2007 1:31 AM
i am a crazy sports loving fan. from my childhood i had always cherished a dream of being a sports professional.i am currently 17+. i have good fluency in english and good knowledge about all of the major sports.i am willing to give audition or interview if you kindly like my application.i had sent mails to several organizations from some of whom i had received good replies but the final result has not come up.kindly reply. iam sure that if i am provided a chance i will prove myself. i am confident of my abilities of handling any kind of sports communication jobs
thanking you
Mitrojit Biswas
Feb 7, 2007 2:08 AM
Can I provide deferred live content for free in my website?
Mar 1, 2008 3:38 PM
Cricket is a cult in India, you cant keep cricket paid for sure.
Feb 23, 2009 7:21 AM
good quality of programming is really essential for any sport.