The order by an SC bench in effect allows private cable operators and DTH networks access to the Doordarshan channels that carry live World Cup feed from ESPN and Star. Photo: HT
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed public broadcaster Prasar Bharti to share live feed from the ongoing cricket World Cup with cable operators and direct-to-home (DTH) TV networks, dealing a blow to private broadcasters.
The apex court stayed a judgment of the Delhi high court, which had on 4 February ruled that Prasar Bharti should air the coverage only on its terrrestrial and DTH networks.
While the main appeal against the high court ruling still remains to be decided, the order by a bench headed by justice Ranjan Gogoi in effect allows private cable operators and DTH networks access to the Doordarshan channels that carry live World Cup feed from broadcasters like ESPN and Star.
Cable operators, under section 8 of the Cable Television Networks Act, are required to carry two Doordarshan channels.
In conjunction with the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007, by which a broadcaster is required to compulsorily share signals of sporting events of national importance with Prasar Bharti, cable operators have access to match feed without subscribing to ESPN/Star.
This leads to revenue loss for the broadcasters, they argued before the court. As alternatives, Star India had suggested creating a new channel to air the matches, which wouldn’t be shared with private cable operators.
Prasar Bharti said that this would not be possible and claimed that it was in public interest that the matches are watched by the widest possible number of people.
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