Lok Sabha Question No. 2725 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-02
Subject: Live Telecast of Cricket
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA, S. RAJENDRAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2725 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2018)

## LIVE TELECAST OF CRICKET

2725.  SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI S. RAJENDRAN: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH: SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN: SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR: SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  time  since  when the live telecast of cricket has not been broadcast on the Doordarshan Channel along with the reasons for the same;
- (b) whether the Government proposed/proposes to acquire broadcast rights from the concerned rights holders for live telecast of test series between India vs England and Cricket World Cup, 2019;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the funds required for telecast of said matches and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to formulate new roadmap for improving the functioning of Doordarshan channels so that they compete with private channels in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the other measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard including financial and administrative autonomy?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a)  Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  live  telecast  of  cricket  matches  is  being broadcast on Doordarshan Sports Channel under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory  Sharing  with  Prasar  Bharati)  Act,  2007  which  was  passed  by  the Parliament  and  notified  in  October,  2007.  This  includes  the  recent  cricket  series between India and England in July 2018 comprising of three T-20s and three ODI Matches.

The Act enjoins upon the right holder to share with Prasar Bharat, live broadcasting signals of Sports Events of National importance for which they hold broadcast rights, to enable Prasar Bharati to re-transmit the same on its terrestrial and Direct to Home networks.

International Cricket matches are notified by the Ministry of I&B as Sporting events of National Importance, the signals of which are being shared by the Rights Holders as per the Act.

(b) & (c): There is no proposal to acquire the broadcast rights for live telecast of test series between India vs. England and the Cricket World Cup-2019.

(d)  As  the  Public  Service  Broadcaster  of  India,  Doordarshan's  programming  is focused  on  issues  of  public  interest  viz.  health,  education,  empowerment,  social justice  etc.    Thus  Doordarshan's  programmes  cannot  be  compared  with  private channels as both are totally different in their objectives and programming formats. However, Doordarshan is striving to provide impactful and meaningful programmes to become the preferred channel of choice of people. It is the constant endeavour of Doordarshan to modernize its infrastructure and improve the quality of programmes. Doordarshan  has  undertaken  a  comprehensive  plan  to  improve  the  programme content and look & feel of all national & regional channels in DD Network.

Morning  shows  and  Evening  shows  have  been  initiated  in  very  attractive  and innovative  settings.    There  are  phone-in  programmes,  which  integrate  a  feedback mechanism with the viewers.  There are more films and film based programme to attract  viewership.    News  and  current  affairs  programme  have  been  increased substantially  to  contribute  to  the  overall  content  of  the  channel.    Efforts  are  being taken  to  empanel  creative  agencies  that  can  work  for  better  look  and  feel  of  the channel.

(e) As per the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990  notified on  12.09.1990  which  came  into  force  on  15.09.1997,  Prasar  Bharati  has  been established as an autonomous body which must function in a democratic manner, being responsible to the people and parliament of India.  For the purpose of enabling the corporation to discharge its functions efficiently under this Act, the Government of  India  releases  Grant-in-Aid  to  Prasar  Bharati  for  both  revenue  and  capital purposes.

Prasar  Bharati  has  also  been  given  full  functional  autonomy  including  content creation and dissemination.  With the amendment of Section 11, Prasar Bharati has been  bestowed  with  disciplinary  and  full  supervisory  powers  over  its  employees, including the Government employees on deemed deputation to the Prasar Bharati.

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