Broadcaster can lose license if denies live telecast

[King]

Broadcaster can lose license if denies live telecast NEW DELHI, FEB 5 (PTI) Government can revoke the licence of private broadcaster if it refuses sharing of live telecast of sports of national interest with Prasar Bharati under the new ordinance that comes into force from today. The Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing With Prasar Bharati) Ordinance 2007 notified by the government, also provides for a penalty of Rs one crore, for denying live feed to the public broadcaster. "No content rights owner or holder and no television or radio broadcasting service provider shall carry a live television broadcast, or any cable, or direct-to-home network, or radio commentary broadcast in India unless it simultaneously shares the live broadcasting signal, without advertisement, with Prasar Bharati," the ordinance read. On the revenue sharing part between private broadcaster and Prasar Bharati, the new law lays down the ratio of 75:25 in case of television coverage and 50:50 in case of radio broadcast. The government will also decide what portion of the revenue received by the Prasar Bharati in this manner will be "utilised for broadcasting other sports events," it said. Specifying penalties for failing to adhere to new law, the ordinance said government "may specify penalties to be imposed, including suspension or revocation of licence, permission or registration, for violation of various terms and conditions." The amount of "pecuniary penalty shall not exceed one crore rupees," the ordinance said, adding the service provider will have "a reasonable opportunity" to defend its case. Stung by denial of Nimbus Communications to share its live telecast of India-West Indies cricket series to Doordarshan and All India Radio under Prasar Bharati, the government last week decided to bring in a law to rein in broadcasters from denying telecast. Earlier, both Nimbus and Prasar Bharati knocked the door of the court, which directed Prasar Bharati to accept the live feed from Nimbus with a 7-minute delay. Disgruntled over being made to accept what it termed as "stale telecast", the government decided to bring in an ordinance to make live sharing compulsory. Making the announcement Minister for Information and Broadcasting P R Dasmunsi said the government will bring a Bill to the same effect in the coming session of Parliament to replace the ordinace with an Act. Nimbus has said it would study the new law before deciding whether to challenge it in court. The Government has said it has brought the law in public interest and to ensure that millions of viewers in non-cable houses receive the live feed of important sporting events, like cricket.

[King]

Re: Broadcaster can lose license if denies live telecast Don't know what to say but in a democratic country like India this TV rights strong hold of the govt. and its altering the law as and when sounds more like communism to me.

[Guest BossBhai]

Re: Broadcaster can lose license if denies live telecast -- Removed on request of the user --

[Guest dada_rocks]

Re: Broadcaster can lose license if denies live telecast Exactly why would numbus pay this much...... particularly the phrase without advertisement makes no sense whatsoever.

[yoda]

Re: Broadcaster can lose license if denies live telecast how stupid do people have to be to pass a law like this. :tired: