India V England Cricket 2012

Bigal · October 25, 2012

Even before the English cricket team begins its much-anticipated tour of India, there are indications that fans back home may not be able to watch the series.

Reason: The demand for an additional Â£500,000 by the BCCI to provide commentary access.

Reports in the English media claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had made the unexpected demand from Sky TV to provide commentary facilities at the grounds and that the UK rights holder for the series was considering not sending its team of commentators for the series.

Sources have said that the figure being quoted is the BCCI's estimate of 'realistic costs' to allow Sky's wish of having independent and unilateral coverage of the India-England series. The cost includes studio space and a commentary box for Sky's own panel of commentators, a TV control room, audio and video feed, a scoring monitor, as well as satellite uplinking from the venues for 30 days of cricket. Sky, on the other hand, feels these things go with the territory, having paid for the UK rights.

The Sky commentary team includes former England captains Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain and Ian Botham and may be forced to work from studios outside the grounds if the matter is not resolved. Either that, or Sky would be forced to accept commentary from the host broadcaster (ESPN-StarSports).

This isnât the first time problems have cropped up during an India-England series. In 2011, audiences in India and England couldnât watch the first three overs of a match in Hyderabad because of a dispute between Neo Sports and Prasar Bharati. There were also problems for Sky before Englandâs 2006 tour when they agreed to terms with Nimbus days before the series began.

Agnew is saying on twitter that the BBC are in the same position also

Jiggy Hates Jazz · October 25, 2012

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