The Hindu Business Line : AIR to air running commentary of Indo-Pak series

THE national broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, has finally managed to enter into a deal with the Dubai-based ARY Digital for the radio rights to the ongoing India-Pakistan series.

All India Radio (AIR) will broadcast live commentary of the remaining two test matches and the five one-day international (ODIs) that will follow. The commentary will be available on AIR FM Gold channels in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, and 65 other medium wave stations spread across the country.

While the exact fee paid by the broadcaster to ARY Digital was not available, sources pegged it at about $100,000. AIR has already roped in advertisers such as Hero Honda, Hindustan Lever Ltd, IndianOil, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and State Bank of India.

Earlier, talks between Prasar Bharati and ARY Digital had reached an impasse over the amount of rights fees to be paid. In the past, AIR had secured the rights for the 2004 series at $40,000 covering three tests and five ODIs. However, this time round, the rights holder had initially demanded $250,000, which was later brought down to $200,000. Subsequently, a deal was struck after renewed negotiations on late Wednesday night, said sources

The sharing of both the radio and television rights with the public broadcaster has been mired in controversy. For the test matches, Taj Television, which owns Ten Sports, has agreed to share a one-and-a-half highlights package with Doordarshan on a revenue sharing basis. There is yet no agreement on the ODIs.

Meanwhile, the Government, too, has said it had taken a "serious note" of sports broadcasters' unwillingness to part with the telecast rights with Doordarshan, despite the mandatory sharing clause.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr P.R Dasmunsi, said that appropriate action would be taken. The matter is currently in the Supreme Court, and, hence, the Minister refused further details on the issue.

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