Sony TV and IPL – TV rights talks fail

Multi Screen Media’s (formerly Sony Entertainment Television) fight to retain the rights of the upcoming Indian Premier League seems to have taken another twist.

The two parties were on the verge of settling the row out-of-court yesterday after the leage terminated its contract with MSM last weekend.

However, latest word, according to CricInfo is that the talks have now failed after IPL commissioner Lalit Modi balked on the issue of making the contract non-terminable for MSM.

Whilst the matter is currently being heard by the Bombay High Court, it now looks likely the rights may go to another broadcaster, possibly NDTV who has been the frontrunner, according to various sources.

Modi told CricInfo the talks failed because MDM, which holds the IPL contract under the Sony umbrella, wanted a non-terminable contract, which the BCCI/IPL refused to provide. “We had agreed on various commercial terms but if we agree to a non-terminable contract we cannot terminate the arrangement even in case of a serious breach,” Modi said. “No one can accept that.” Rohit Gupta, president of network sales at Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd, refused to comment on the development.