The Indian government has told television companies holding cricket rights involving the national team to share the feed with the state broadcaster in future. Thursday's decision is a big setback for private broadcasters who have enjoyed exclusive rights in cricket-mad India.
"The sports channels having TV broadcasting rights shall, with immediate effect, share their feed with (state-run) Prasar Bharti for national and international sporting events held in India or abroad," said Information Broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy.
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"In case of cricket events, these shall include all matches featuring India and the semi-finals and final of international competitions," he told reporters after a federal cabinet meeting.The Indian cricket board's attempt to award its lucrative TV rights long-term have also been affected by legal problems for more than a year.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday sold the rights for two forthcoming one-day series against Sri Lanka [Images] and South Africa to Prasar Bharti for around 900 million rupees ($20 million).
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