The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked public broadcaster Prasar Bharati if it could launch an alternative channel to telecast India’s World Cup matches, a suggestion given by Star Sports which is resisting sharing live feed of cricket matches with private cable operators. Star Sports holds exclusive telecast rights of the World Cup.
A bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi gave the public broadcaster time till Thursday to examine the feasibility of starting a new Doordarshan channel exclusively to telecast the matches so that the subscription to cable operators could be regulated.
The court asked Star to give details of quantum of losses which it may incur in case DD was permitted to beam matches after sharing live feed with cable operators. The court also extended till February 19 the stay on operation of the Delhi High Court verdict that had said Prasar Bharti cannot share the live feed of matches with private cable operators showing DD channels.
The view to have a separate channel was sought on a suggestion made by Star and ESPN, which have resisted telecast of cricket matches by DD through all cable operators on free-to-air platform.
The bench observed that it wanted people to enjoy cricket matches without hurdles and that the revenue dispute should be resolved amicably.
Senior advocate P Chidambaram, appearing for Star Sports, argued that a new channel can be started by Prasar Bharti as was done for the Commonwealth Games.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi argued that it was mandatory for a private channel under the Sports Act and Cable TV Network Act to share feed of matches of “national importance” with Prasar Bharati for providing it on DD’s free-to-air terrestrial channels. He said private cable operators are under an obligation to show some DD channels to subscribers and it is not feasible to start a new channel for showing World Cup matches.