World Cup 2015: Supreme Court asks Prasar
Bharti to examine feasibility of a new channel
Written by Utkarsh Anand | New Delhi
Posted: February 17, 2015 1:08
pm
The bench
also asked Star, ESPN and BCCI to give an estimate of losses they were likely
to suffer. (Source: PTI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Prasar Bharti to examine
feasibility of starting a new Door Darshan channel exclusively to telecast 2015
World Cup cricket matches. (Full Coverage| Venues | Fixtures)
The view was sought on a suggestion made by Star and ESPN, which have
resisted telecast of cricket matches by DD through all the cable operators on
free-to-air platform.
A bench led by Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked Prasar Bharti to examine the
technical feasibility and otherwise of starting a new channel, subscription of
which could be regulated for the cable operators.
While extending the interim order allowing DD to telecast all matches
till Thursday, the bench also asked Star, ESPN and BCCI to give an estimate of
losses they were likely to suffer in case DD was permitted to beam matches
after sharing live feeds with cable operators.
During the hearing, the bench observed that it wanted people to enjoy
cricket matches without any hurdles and that the revenue dispute should be
resolved amicably between the parties.
The Centre had earlier moved the Supreme Court against an order barring
Prasar Bharati from sharing with cable operators the matches’ live feed, of
which ESPN and Star have exclusive broadcasting rights.
The appeals said that the High Court order was not only against the
mandate of the Sports Act and Cable TV Network Act but was also contrary to
public interest.
The petition argued that it was mandatory under laws for the private
channels to share the feeds with Prasar Bharati for providing it on DD’s
free-to-air terrestrial channels.
BCCI, ESPN and Star had claimed that cable TV operators were getting
live feeds through DD channels free of cost, resulting in loss of revenue for
them. The Court, however, rejected their additional prayers to strike down
section 3 of the Sports Act, which makes it mandatory for them to share with
Prasar Bharati the live feed of sporting events of national importance.
The High Court had also refused to grant relief of striking down a year
2000 notification issued by Prasar Bharati which made it mandatory for cable
operators to carry DD National and DD News channels.
Source:Indian Express
