Ehsan Mani concerned for Indian Broadcasting Legislation

Rahul Sharma - Televisionpoint.com
The International Cricket Council, ICC President Ehsan Mani is seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi to express his concern over the proposed new Indian broadcasting legislation.

The new regulations have made it mandatory for satellite broadcasters to share content with Doordarshan and the cricket boards are concerned that this will effect the revenue of international cricket which relies heavily on Indian broadcasters such Zee Sports, TEN Sports, ESPN, Star Sports and SET Max for their income.

According to sources and reports, international cricket boards including those of England, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan, have also written to Dasmunshi expressing concern at the proposed regulations which they fear would reduce their revenue from broadcast rights.

The losses of cable distribution income for the satellite broadcasters are expected to lower the offers from the broadcasters for the next sale of rights from the member countries of the ICC, it was said.

The issue also affects other television markets such as West Asia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh where the Doordarshan signal is freely available on satellite - effectively preventing pay television sales of Indian cricket in those areas. David Morgan, the President of the English Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan have also written to the Indian Government com plaining that this would re duce their income and their potential to invest in the sporting infrastructure of their countries.

The complaints of the broadcasters concentrate on the lack of exclusivity for any of the content, which effec tively reduces their income from cable operators. The broadcasters are asking Door darshan to clarify as to whether they will show all In dian cricket, as the legislation allows, or whether Doordarshan will only chose certain one-day games.

As an example, the India against West Indies Test matches will clash with the football World Cup but Doordarshan has the right to take both events free of charge under the new laws. Private broadcasters maintain that the majority of advertising time on events in 2006 is already sold on the basis of their exclusive telecast and that the new legislation does not reflect the nature of exist ing contracts.

Issues of concern New Govt regulations Mandatory for satellite broadcasters to share content with DD. ICC's objection The major chunk of its revenue comes from the private Indian broadcasters. Outside concern Some other cricket boards also fear of revenue loss due to lack of exclusivity.