The Hindu : National : Sports Broadcasting Signals Bill introduced

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Friday, Mar 02, 2007
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Sports Broadcasting Signals Bill introduced

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Bill, 2007, providing for compulsory sharing of advertisement-free live sports broadcasting signals with all platforms of the public broadcaster on a revenue-sharing basis, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Bill, introduced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, seeks to replace the Ordinance promulgated in early February to provide widest possible access to sporting events.

Once the Bill enters the law books, sporting events of national importance can be accessed on All-India Radio and Doordarshan's national network. Besides DD1 and AIR's national hook-up, matches will also be available on Doordarshan's direct-to-home platform.

The revenue-sharing format has also been incorporated in the Bill. In the case of television coverage, 75 per cent of the advertisement revenue earned will go to the rights holder and the remaining will be with the public broadcaster. For radio coverage, a 50:50 revenue-sharing model has been provided for. According to the Bill, the Centre can mandate that the Prasar Bharati will use a percentage of the revenue received for broadcasting other sporting events, which lament for sponsorships and space on television.

Penalties

Through the Bill, the Ministry proposes to provide legislative teeth to the downlinking and uplinking guidelines issued in late 2005 as some television channels challenged their legality in court. Penalties for violation include suspension or revocation of licence, permission or registration besides a fine not exceeding Rs. 1 crore. Once it becomes law, it will be effective with retrospective effect from November 11, 2005, when the guidelines were notified.

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