MUMBAI: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has reiterated that broadcast rights holders of sporting events for the India region should inform pubcaster Prasar Bharati of signal sharing details at least 45 days in advance.
A 2007 law mandates that private TV channels holding broadcast rights for the country should share signals of all sporting events of national importance with Prasar Bharti. The advertising revenue accruing out of such telecasts on Doordarshan and/or All India Radio would be shared between the private rights holder and the pubcaster.
However, some sports channels have contended that at times the rights are obtained on short notice and at other times various technical reasons make the 45-day notice difficult to adhere to. Industry sources also indicated that there have been occasions when official processes in Prasar Bharati have delayed the finalization of the organization that would undertake marketing and ad sales of events simulcasted on a private TV channel as well as Doordarshan.
MIB, in anotice late last week, stated that under “Rule 3(1)… content rights owner or holder and television or radio broadcasting service provider intending to carry a live television broadcast on any cable television network or direct-to-home [platform] or intending to make a radio commentary broadcast in India of a sporting event of national importance shall at least forty-five days prior to the proposed date of telecast or broadcast inform the Prasar Bharati about the same and offer to share the live signals in the manner and on such terms and conditions as prescribed under Rule 3.”
The government made it clear that permitted private satellite TV channel were manadetd by law to do so.
Sources in the ministry clarified that the communication was issued as some private TV channels, holding rights to various sproting events of national importance, failed to give the national broadcaster proper notice that resulted in difficulties and possible loss of revenue.