MIB directs sportscasters to inform PB about telecast of events under Sports Act 45 days in advance

The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has directed sports broadcasters to intimate public broadcaster Prasar Bharati about the sporting events of national important 45 days prior to the start of the event.

This, the ministry said, will enable Prasar Bharati to approach the rights holders well in time before the start of the event for better planning, scheduling, marketing and coordination with the rights holder.

The Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007, mandates mandatory sharing of all sporting events, which are notified as sporting events of national importance with Prasar Bharati.

Further, Rule 3 (1) of the rules framed under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 requires content rights owner of a sporting event of national importance to inform the Prasar Bharati about the same at least 45 days prior to the proposed date of telecast or broadcast and offer to share the live signals in the manner and on such terms and conditions as prescribed under Rule 3.

“In view of the above, all Broadcasters/permitted private satellite TV channels, who gets the broadcasting rights of any Sporting events, which have been notified as Sporting events of National Importance by this Ministry, are hereby called upon to comply with the above provisions of the Rules and inform Prasar Bharati about the same immediately so as to enable Prasar Bharati to approach the Rights Holders well in time before the start of the event for better planning, scheduling, marketing, and coordination with the Rights Holder,” the ministry noted.