Indian news channels to boycott IPL

Coverage of the much talked about Indian Cricket League (IPL) is being boycotted by Indian news TV channels.

According to a news piece on Live Mint, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) demanded a relaxation in the usage of free footage of cricket matches, among other amendments in the accreditation guidelines. The NBA represents eleven of India’s leading news channels. The call was made on 14th April but expired today leading to today’s decision.

“From midnight, a complete boycott of IPL will come into effect. There will be no mention of the league, matches or players on our channels,” said a member of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) who represents a leading news channel. He did not wish to be identified.

IPL forwarded the letter to Sony Entertainment Television, the broadcast partner of IPL.

Rohit Gupta, president, network sales, Multiscreen Media Pvt. Ltd, formerly known as Sony Entertainment Television India Pvt. Ltd, said under its contract with BCCI, they were required to give only one minute of free footage to news broadcasters.

“Following their request, we have increased it to three minutes. Additionally, channels can get seven minutes of footage for Rs10 lakh,” Gupta added. Clearly, that�۪s not an offer news broadcasters are happy with.