Tag: sports

DishTV kick launches special offerings for Karnataka

MUMBAI: In order to cater to the needs of multilingual entertainment requirements for the Karnataka TV viewers/ subscribers; DishTV has come up with special offering in the state of Karnataka. These offerings will not only give maximum choice but will also offer them complete flexibility to choose the language of their choice. With this central theme, DishTV proudly stands for “Any language you speak, We have a pack for you.”

In order to bridge the language barrier in the state of Karnataka with respect to entertainment, DishTV is all set to offer new and exciting offerings. These offerings are available to all viewers/ subscribers over and above with the existing base packs of Rs.99/ Rs.139/ Rs.169.

Speaking on the addition, DishTV India CEO Arun Kumar Kapoor said, “Over the years we have observed the trend of the viewer preferences prevailing in the Karnataka market. They have an inclination for regional content. Karnataka being a highly multi-lingual state and keeping in mind the multi-lingual entertainment requirement in the state, DishTV has always been at the forefront to provide innovative solutions. In order to enhance the TV viewing experience for our subscribers in regional markets and to ensure that they enjoy seamless services with uninterrupted entertainment at cost effective rates DishTV has come with these special Kannada offerings.”

Kannada Special offerings at attractive price points are as follows:

Ø Kannada Special with kannada Language pack@ Rs.199 (Total 1 Language pack)

Ø Kannada Special with kannada and 1 other Language Pack @ Rs.209 (Total 2 Language packs)

Ø Kannada Special with kannada and 2 other Language packs @ Rs.225 (Total 3 Language packs)

The subscribers can avail these special Kannada offerings on a reasonable amount of Rs. 199 including all Kannada channels and services, which is further enriched with more content like Kids, Sports, Movies, English News and Infotainment. Further customers will have options to choose Kannada special offering with one more language pack along with Kannada at Rs.209 and two more language packs along with Kannada at Rs. 225. The subscribers can choose from different language packs such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia and Marathi.

On all new acquisition, subscribers can choose up to three language packs (one Kannada and 2 other language packs) till the offer period.

July 22, 2016
DishTV kick launches special offerings for Karnataka

MUMBAI: In order to cater to the needs of multilingual entertainment requirements for the Karnataka TV viewers/ subscribers; DishTV has come up with special offering in the state of Karnataka. These offerings will not only give maximum choice but will also offer them complete flexibility to choose the language of their choice. With this central theme, DishTV proudly stands for “Any language you speak, We have a pack for you.”

In order to bridge the language barrier in the state of Karnataka with respect to entertainment, DishTV is all set to offer new and exciting offerings. These offerings are available to all viewers/ subscribers over and above with the existing base packs of Rs.99/ Rs.139/ Rs.169.

Speaking on the addition, DishTV India CEO Arun Kumar Kapoor said, “Over the years we have observed the trend of the viewer preferences prevailing in the Karnataka market. They have an inclination for regional content. Karnataka being a highly multi-lingual state and keeping in mind the multi-lingual entertainment requirement in the state, DishTV has always been at the forefront to provide innovative solutions. In order to enhance the TV viewing experience for our subscribers in regional markets and to ensure that they enjoy seamless services with uninterrupted entertainment at cost effective rates DishTV has come with these special Kannada offerings.”

Kannada Special offerings at attractive price points are as follows:

Ø Kannada Special with kannada Language pack@ Rs.199 (Total 1 Language pack)

Ø Kannada Special with kannada and 1 other Language Pack @ Rs.209 (Total 2 Language packs)

Ø Kannada Special with kannada and 2 other Language packs @ Rs.225 (Total 3 Language packs)

The subscribers can avail these special Kannada offerings on a reasonable amount of Rs. 199 including all Kannada channels and services, which is further enriched with more content like Kids, Sports, Movies, English News and Infotainment. Further customers will have options to choose Kannada special offering with one more language pack along with Kannada at Rs.209 and two more language packs along with Kannada at Rs. 225. The subscribers can choose from different language packs such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia and Marathi.

On all new acquisition, subscribers can choose up to three language packs (one Kannada and 2 other language packs) till the offer period.

July 22, 2016
Sports OTT VEQTA launches its mobile app for sports programming

NEW DELHI: India’s first digital broadcast network (OTT) VEQTA dedicated to sports has launched its flagship sports app which is now available for all android and IOS based mobile phones on the respective app stores.

Sports fans in India will now be able to watch a unique selection of amazing sports content from around the globe across Football, Cricket, Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Basketball, Motorsports, Tennis, Golf, Olympic Sports and many more from the most authentic sources all over the world.

Founded by sports and financial sector leaders Vikram Tanwar, Varun Mathur, and Gaurav Gill, VEQTA aims to become the home of sport in India by serving fans a selection of the best diverse sports content from across the globe through Video On Demand and Live Streaming.

Talking about the launch, Co-founder and Director Gaurav Gill said, “VEQTA will redefine how sports fans in India consume sport. Through our unique licensed and studio developed sports content, our innovative offering will engage users with the kind of width and depth of sports content that has previously not been available in India. We will continue to innovate with our technology and expand our content portfolio to better serve the evolving needs of sports fans. VEQTA is the one app that every sports fan must have.”

VEQTA had already received seed investment a few months ago and has recently signed a number of partnerships and sports content licenses with leading sports personalities and organizations including partnerships with some of the leading mixed martial arts promotions.

It has also announced its partnerships with International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and BAMMA, to bring all the MMA action to sports fans in India.

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and is followed by millions of fans in India. In spite of the growing popularity of the sport, the availability of high quality MMA content is very limited. In two exciting new deals,VEQTA has partnered with IMMAF, a democratic hub for national MMA federations and BAMMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom, to bring world class MMA action to fans in India.

Co-founder & Director of VEQTA Varun Mathur said, “The high paced action of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has made it one of the most engaging and popular fight sports in India and our partnerships with IMMAF and BAMMA are another step towards offering world class content to these fans in the country. We are committed to building a strong fight sports portfolio led by MMA action that will be witnessed here for the first time. VEQTA aims to become the destination of choice for fans in India by providing a holistic digital viewing experience across a variety of sports.”

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said, “We are excited to commence this partnership with VEQTA, which will seeIMMAF athletes gain exposure across India. With its population of 1.2+ billion and sports spectatorship booming, India is a much coveted market for sports brands and we feel privileged to be enabled to reach MMA fans in the region. India is also home to one of IMMAF’s strongest national federations, the All India Mixed Martial Arts Association (AIMMAA), which has presence across more than 20 states within the country. We are pleased to announce that Team India’s supporters and sports fans back home can now catch up on their Amateur MMA team’s achievements at IMMAF championships events in 2016 and beyond.”

BAMMA CEO David Green said, “We are excited at our first foray into the market in India with our partners, VEQTA, and we are looking forward to showcase some of the finest MMA action to the population”

July 13, 2016
Sports OTT VEQTA launches its mobile app for sports programming

NEW DELHI: India’s first digital broadcast network (OTT) VEQTA dedicated to sports has launched its flagship sports app which is now available for all android and IOS based mobile phones on the respective app stores.

Sports fans in India will now be able to watch a unique selection of amazing sports content from around the globe across Football, Cricket, Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Basketball, Motorsports, Tennis, Golf, Olympic Sports and many more from the most authentic sources all over the world.

Founded by sports and financial sector leaders Vikram Tanwar, Varun Mathur, and Gaurav Gill, VEQTA aims to become the home of sport in India by serving fans a selection of the best diverse sports content from across the globe through Video On Demand and Live Streaming.

Talking about the launch, Co-founder and Director Gaurav Gill said, “VEQTA will redefine how sports fans in India consume sport. Through our unique licensed and studio developed sports content, our innovative offering will engage users with the kind of width and depth of sports content that has previously not been available in India. We will continue to innovate with our technology and expand our content portfolio to better serve the evolving needs of sports fans. VEQTA is the one app that every sports fan must have.”

VEQTA had already received seed investment a few months ago and has recently signed a number of partnerships and sports content licenses with leading sports personalities and organizations including partnerships with some of the leading mixed martial arts promotions.

It has also announced its partnerships with International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and BAMMA, to bring all the MMA action to sports fans in India.

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and is followed by millions of fans in India. In spite of the growing popularity of the sport, the availability of high quality MMA content is very limited. In two exciting new deals,VEQTA has partnered with IMMAF, a democratic hub for national MMA federations and BAMMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom, to bring world class MMA action to fans in India.

Co-founder & Director of VEQTA Varun Mathur said, “The high paced action of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has made it one of the most engaging and popular fight sports in India and our partnerships with IMMAF and BAMMA are another step towards offering world class content to these fans in the country. We are committed to building a strong fight sports portfolio led by MMA action that will be witnessed here for the first time. VEQTA aims to become the destination of choice for fans in India by providing a holistic digital viewing experience across a variety of sports.”

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said, “We are excited to commence this partnership with VEQTA, which will seeIMMAF athletes gain exposure across India. With its population of 1.2+ billion and sports spectatorship booming, India is a much coveted market for sports brands and we feel privileged to be enabled to reach MMA fans in the region. India is also home to one of IMMAF’s strongest national federations, the All India Mixed Martial Arts Association (AIMMAA), which has presence across more than 20 states within the country. We are pleased to announce that Team India’s supporters and sports fans back home can now catch up on their Amateur MMA team’s achievements at IMMAF championships events in 2016 and beyond.”

BAMMA CEO David Green said, “We are excited at our first foray into the market in India with our partners, VEQTA, and we are looking forward to showcase some of the finest MMA action to the population”

July 13, 2016
ESPN India and Twitter launch #TwitterPostbox for sports lovers

MUMBAI: ESPN India and Twitter have come together to launch #TwitterPostbox, a daily utility service for sports fans. Sports enthusiasts can subscribe for free to their favourite sport to get a Daily Direct Message on the day’s best sports stories by simply sending a Tweet.

To subscribe to #TwitterPostbox, fans have to follow @ESPNIndia and Tweet to @ESPNIndia with #Cricket or #Tennis or #Football or #Olympics or #F1 to know the latest on their favourite sport. They can also subscribe to multiple sports at a time by Tweeting with multiple hashtags in a single Tweet. This one-time subscription will ensure fans receive a Direct Message from @ESPNIndia on Twitter everyday. The Direct Message will contain @ESPNIndia’s Top Tweet of the Day on the sport a user has chosen; the Tweet will include a link to a published article that users can click on and read more.

Twitter India head of sports partnerships Aneesh Madani said, “Twitter is the best place to wake up to and see what is happening in the world, and we are very excited to partner with ESPN India to launch a first-of-its-kind daily utility service for fans to be served directly with the best news of the day from their favourite sport.”

ESPN India business development director Gaurav Thakur too added, ““ESPN India website and app will offer the entire spectrum of sports of interest to Indian sports fans and launching #TwitterPostbox in partnership with Twitter resonates with our mission to serve every sports fan anytime anywhere. We’re thrilled to be the first partner globally to launch a daily sports utility service via Direct Messages on Twitter.”

@ESPNIndia’s partnership with #TwitterPostbox will ensure that Twitter continues to be a fan’s live connection to the world of sports every day — bite-size news, pushed directly, for the sports fan on the go, so that you don’t miss a thing.

June 7, 2016
ESPN India and Twitter launch #TwitterPostbox for sports lovers

MUMBAI: ESPN India and Twitter have come together to launch #TwitterPostbox, a daily utility service for sports fans. Sports enthusiasts can subscribe for free to their favourite sport to get a Daily Direct Message on the day’s best sports stories by simply sending a Tweet.

To subscribe to #TwitterPostbox, fans have to follow @ESPNIndia and Tweet to @ESPNIndia with #Cricket or #Tennis or #Football or #Olympics or #F1 to know the latest on their favourite sport. They can also subscribe to multiple sports at a time by Tweeting with multiple hashtags in a single Tweet. This one-time subscription will ensure fans receive a Direct Message from @ESPNIndia on Twitter everyday. The Direct Message will contain @ESPNIndia’s Top Tweet of the Day on the sport a user has chosen; the Tweet will include a link to a published article that users can click on and read more.

Twitter India head of sports partnerships Aneesh Madani said, “Twitter is the best place to wake up to and see what is happening in the world, and we are very excited to partner with ESPN India to launch a first-of-its-kind daily utility service for fans to be served directly with the best news of the day from their favourite sport.”

ESPN India business development director Gaurav Thakur too added, ““ESPN India website and app will offer the entire spectrum of sports of interest to Indian sports fans and launching #TwitterPostbox in partnership with Twitter resonates with our mission to serve every sports fan anytime anywhere. We’re thrilled to be the first partner globally to launch a daily sports utility service via Direct Messages on Twitter.”

@ESPNIndia’s partnership with #TwitterPostbox will ensure that Twitter continues to be a fan’s live connection to the world of sports every day — bite-size news, pushed directly, for the sports fan on the go, so that you don’t miss a thing.

June 7, 2016
ESPN in collaboration with SPN launches ESPN.in & ESPN app

MUMBAI: With long-term collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), ESPN has introduced an exciting new mobile-first multi-sport digital offering in India today with the launch of the ESPN.in website and the ESPN app.

With an emerging multi-sport landscape in India, the new site and app will further reinforce ESPN’s market leadership, authority and expertise in digital media, bringing an elegant, lively and more personal sports experience to Indian and subcontinent fans across mobiles, tablets and computers. ESPN.in site and app will also be carrying rights video content for sporting events from SONY LIV, SPN’s digital streaming platform, and SPN’s new Sony ESPN sports channels.

From mainstream sports in India and the subcontinent, to the best of ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of global sports that interest South Asian fans, ESPN.in and the ESPN app will bring fans closer to the games, leagues and athletes they love via world-class digital products.

Both the site and app will offer the best cricket coverage (powered by ESPNcricinfo), but also give fans a one-stop destination for world-class news, features and videos across sports currently underserved by any digital offering in the region, such as football, hockey, badminton, tennis, Formula 1, kabaddi and more.

The new ESPN.in and ESPN app brings Indian and subcontinent fans a clean, dynamic presentation for ESPN’s content and storytelling, including scores, news, video, features, stats and more. Additionally, they will feature LIVE streaming video content of select sporting events in collaboration with Sony LIV.

The launch of the app and website are the latest developments in the collaboration between Sony Pictures Networks India & ESPN. ESPN.in and the ESPN app, will both carry SONYESPN branding and will feature cross-promotional integration with Sony LIV, the digital streaming platform from Sony Pictures Networks (SPN).

Earlier this year, this collaboration resulted in the launch of 2 new sports television channels; namely, Sony ESPN as well Sony ESPN HD. The long-term agreement leverages a winning combination of two of India’s most respected media brands, and serves Indian and subcontinent fans via their combined expertise and high-quality compelling content.

ESPN India and South Asia head & VP Ramesh Kumar said, “ESPN has a strong connection with fans in India and around the world because we are fans ourselves, driven by a similar obsession for sports. The launch of our multi-sport products showcases our digital leadership and offers sports fans outstanding news, features and video experiences around top sports of interest to Indian fans. They also provide the perfect complement to our television collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India as well as reinforce ESPN’s signature ‘Game around the Game’ analysis across platforms”.

Sony Pictures Networks India Digital Business executive vice president & head Uday Sodhi said, “Sony LIV has been instrumental in bringing the best of entertainment to the digital millennials. Sports is an integral part of our offering. Together with ESPN, we are geared to increase our offering manifold.”

PERSONALIZATION
Passions for sport are intensely personal and ESPN has made it easy to personalize the user experience on both ESPN.in and the ESPN app — and rewards fans for doing so. A powerful personalization engine lets every fan select their favorite sports, leagues and teams, and then prominently delivers the latest scores, news, video and images related to those in a distinct ‘Favorites’ section. After registering on either the site or the app, a fan can set their Favorites, which will then work seamlessly across both the site and the app, and on any device – mobile, tablet, laptop, desktop – where they are logged in.

Users of the ESPN app can also set custom tailored notifications, so they will be alerted with all the latest developments for their Favorites, general news and more.

COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT AND COVERAGE
ESPN is the #1 digital sports publisher in India, and around the world – known for its insightful content with personality and its unbiased reporting and analysis with authority.

June 2, 2016
ESPN in collaboration with SPN launches ESPN.in & ESPN app

MUMBAI: With long-term collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), ESPN has introduced an exciting new mobile-first multi-sport digital offering in India today with the launch of the ESPN.in website and the ESPN app.

With an emerging multi-sport landscape in India, the new site and app will further reinforce ESPN’s market leadership, authority and expertise in digital media, bringing an elegant, lively and more personal sports experience to Indian and subcontinent fans across mobiles, tablets and computers. ESPN.in site and app will also be carrying rights video content for sporting events from SONY LIV, SPN’s digital streaming platform, and SPN’s new Sony ESPN sports channels.

From mainstream sports in India and the subcontinent, to the best of ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of global sports that interest South Asian fans, ESPN.in and the ESPN app will bring fans closer to the games, leagues and athletes they love via world-class digital products.

Both the site and app will offer the best cricket coverage (powered by ESPNcricinfo), but also give fans a one-stop destination for world-class news, features and videos across sports currently underserved by any digital offering in the region, such as football, hockey, badminton, tennis, Formula 1, kabaddi and more.

The new ESPN.in and ESPN app brings Indian and subcontinent fans a clean, dynamic presentation for ESPN’s content and storytelling, including scores, news, video, features, stats and more. Additionally, they will feature LIVE streaming video content of select sporting events in collaboration with Sony LIV.

The launch of the app and website are the latest developments in the collaboration between Sony Pictures Networks India & ESPN. ESPN.in and the ESPN app, will both carry SONYESPN branding and will feature cross-promotional integration with Sony LIV, the digital streaming platform from Sony Pictures Networks (SPN).

Earlier this year, this collaboration resulted in the launch of 2 new sports television channels; namely, Sony ESPN as well Sony ESPN HD. The long-term agreement leverages a winning combination of two of India’s most respected media brands, and serves Indian and subcontinent fans via their combined expertise and high-quality compelling content.

ESPN India and South Asia head & VP Ramesh Kumar said, “ESPN has a strong connection with fans in India and around the world because we are fans ourselves, driven by a similar obsession for sports. The launch of our multi-sport products showcases our digital leadership and offers sports fans outstanding news, features and video experiences around top sports of interest to Indian fans. They also provide the perfect complement to our television collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India as well as reinforce ESPN’s signature ‘Game around the Game’ analysis across platforms”.

Sony Pictures Networks India Digital Business executive vice president & head Uday Sodhi said, “Sony LIV has been instrumental in bringing the best of entertainment to the digital millennials. Sports is an integral part of our offering. Together with ESPN, we are geared to increase our offering manifold.”

PERSONALIZATION
Passions for sport are intensely personal and ESPN has made it easy to personalize the user experience on both ESPN.in and the ESPN app — and rewards fans for doing so. A powerful personalization engine lets every fan select their favorite sports, leagues and teams, and then prominently delivers the latest scores, news, video and images related to those in a distinct ‘Favorites’ section. After registering on either the site or the app, a fan can set their Favorites, which will then work seamlessly across both the site and the app, and on any device – mobile, tablet, laptop, desktop – where they are logged in.

Users of the ESPN app can also set custom tailored notifications, so they will be alerted with all the latest developments for their Favorites, general news and more.

COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT AND COVERAGE
ESPN is the #1 digital sports publisher in India, and around the world – known for its insightful content with personality and its unbiased reporting and analysis with authority.

June 2, 2016
SC rejects Star appeal on sharing sports signals with DD

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today upheld the contention by Prasar Bharati that enhancements embedded in the sports feed shared by sports channels with Doordarshan were commercial advertisements.

Rejecting a special leave petition by Star India against a Delhi High Court order which had gone in favour of Prasar Bharati, The apex Court also held that the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act 2007 (Sports Act) is not only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider but also those of the content rights owner and holder.

The Court said the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act refers to the the content rights owners, holder and broadcast service provider. Therefore it was immaterial as to who inserted the enhancements. Under the Act the signal to be provided had to be free of advertisements.

The Sports Act is clear that live signals of sporting events of national importance have to be shared by the content rights owners or holders and broadcast service providers with Prasar Bharati without advertisements. Furthermore, a clean feed is to be provided.

Prasar Bharati in its petition in the High Court had claimed that the feed being provided contained commercial enhancements. But Star took the plea that the commercial enhancements were not advertisements and the enhancements were in any case being inserted by International Cricket Council.

Star also said the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Act was only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider (Star) and not those of the content rights owner (ICC). It claimed that the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act only referred to the broadcast service provider and not the content rights owner.

While senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi had appeared for Star Sports, Prasar Bharati was represented by Attorney General Mukul Rohatagi.

Taking up the case in Febuary last year, Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Prafulla C Pant had said ‘we are of the view that the interim order passed earlier to the effect that the impugned order dated 4 February of the High Court shall remain suspended should continue until further orders.’

The Court had at that time said it was ‘not inclined’ to consider the suggestion made by Star Sports that Doordarshan should set up an extra/special channel which has been contended by Prasar Bharati to be unviable and technically unfeasible within any reasonable period of time.

On the second suggestion about ‘putting up a scroll to the effect that ‘the channel displaying the sports event (concerned ICC World Cup 2015 matches) is meant only for Doordarshan’, the Court said ‘acceptance of the said suggestion would be understanding the provisions of Section 3 of the Sports Act 2007 and Section 8 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 in a particular manner which is not warranted at this stage of the proceedings. We, therefore, decline to accept the said second suggestion advanced on behalf of the respondents.’

Star India had in an additional affidavit at the time said that it was losing around Rs 290 crore every year by sharing its sports signals with Doordarshan and was expecting to lose around Rs 120 crore by sharing the telecast of the World Cup this year. (Under the Sports Act, the rights holder gets 75 per cent of the revenue from the telecast on DD which keeps the balance 25 per cent.)

The Delhi High Court had declined to set aside the must carry clause as well as the Sports Act in its judgment.

May 27, 2016
SC rejects Star appeal on sharing sports signals with DD

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today upheld the contention by Prasar Bharati that enhancements embedded in the sports feed shared by sports channels with Doordarshan were commercial advertisements.

Rejecting a special leave petition by Star India against a Delhi High Court order which had gone in favour of Prasar Bharati, The apex Court also held that the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act 2007 (Sports Act) is not only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider but also those of the content rights owner and holder.

The Court said the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act refers to the the content rights owners, holder and broadcast service provider. Therefore it was immaterial as to who inserted the enhancements. Under the Act the signal to be provided had to be free of advertisements.

The Sports Act is clear that live signals of sporting events of national importance have to be shared by the content rights owners or holders and broadcast service providers with Prasar Bharati without advertisements. Furthermore, a clean feed is to be provided.

Prasar Bharati in its petition in the High Court had claimed that the feed being provided contained commercial enhancements. But Star took the plea that the commercial enhancements were not advertisements and the enhancements were in any case being inserted by International Cricket Council.

Star also said the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Act was only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider (Star) and not those of the content rights owner (ICC). It claimed that the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act only referred to the broadcast service provider and not the content rights owner.

While senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi had appeared for Star Sports, Prasar Bharati was represented by Attorney General Mukul Rohatagi.

Taking up the case in Febuary last year, Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Prafulla C Pant had said ‘we are of the view that the interim order passed earlier to the effect that the impugned order dated 4 February of the High Court shall remain suspended should continue until further orders.’

The Court had at that time said it was ‘not inclined’ to consider the suggestion made by Star Sports that Doordarshan should set up an extra/special channel which has been contended by Prasar Bharati to be unviable and technically unfeasible within any reasonable period of time.

On the second suggestion about ‘putting up a scroll to the effect that ‘the channel displaying the sports event (concerned ICC World Cup 2015 matches) is meant only for Doordarshan’, the Court said ‘acceptance of the said suggestion would be understanding the provisions of Section 3 of the Sports Act 2007 and Section 8 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 in a particular manner which is not warranted at this stage of the proceedings. We, therefore, decline to accept the said second suggestion advanced on behalf of the respondents.’

Star India had in an additional affidavit at the time said that it was losing around Rs 290 crore every year by sharing its sports signals with Doordarshan and was expecting to lose around Rs 120 crore by sharing the telecast of the World Cup this year. (Under the Sports Act, the rights holder gets 75 per cent of the revenue from the telecast on DD which keeps the balance 25 per cent.)

The Delhi High Court had declined to set aside the must carry clause as well as the Sports Act in its judgment.

May 27, 2016