Threat to cricket or is it 'doing the right thing' ?

[C_C]

The Indian government has decieded to share broadcast of all cricket matches involving India with non-cable channels as well as cable channels. Essentially, this ( from what i understand) means no more 'exclusive rights' for any particular channel showing Indian cricket and all Indian cricket would be broadcast in public networks.
This would lead to millions of poor Indian folks having an opportunity to view cricket from their homes and not forgo it due to prohibitive costs of cable entetainment.
In that respect, this is a move I am in favour of - I don't believe that cricket should be the premise of the rich and an average farmer in the middle of nowhere with barely enough money to feed his kids should have the opportunity to see cricket, especially when its being played by his home nation.

However, the ICC contends ( and rightly so IMO) that this would lead to a drastic loss of revenues in cricket, as India is the financial backbone of cricket. They contend that without this money ( money generated by exclusive contracts for matches, for which cable companies shell out hundreds of millions of dollars) cricket in Sri Lanka, West Indies and some other nations may not be able to survive.

Read it all here

Comments ?

 

[social]

Given that the Communication Minister has aready announced that a review of the decision will be taking place shortly, it might turn out to be a storm in a tea-cup.

However, assuming that the decision stands, the implications for cricket in India are generally positive. Poorer members of the community or those living in remote areas will potentially have access to the game thereby ensuring it remains near the top of the country's consciousness.

From a philosophical perspective, it could also be argued that access to matches involving the Indian team should not be the preserve of the rich.

Unfortunately, it appears that this is not all about Indian cricket.

A Dubai-owned television network holds a contract to televise matches involving the Indian team that will be materially prejudiced by this decision. How will the threat of retrospective legislation be greeted by potential investors in the currently burgeoning Indian financial markets?

From an international cricket perspective, US colleges have larger player development budgets allocated to the Carribbean than the WICB does. Naturally, those colleges are not interested in developing cricketers.

The SLCB had assets such as the national stadium in Galle devastated by the tsunami. As it is, it required foreign aid to assist with its' rebuilding so further reductions in revenue would be devastating.

Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, NewZealand and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan all share similar financial concerns (not sure about SA).

In summary, I agree with the decision from a philosophical stand-point.

However, the decision has again emphasised the disparity in wealth that exists between ICC member nations.

Should the decision stand, wealthier nations (such as Aus and Eng) will have no choice but to make up some of the short-fall or run the very real risk that they'll end up playing amongst themselves.

 

[parttimer]

Seeing that cricket is part of the national culture and character it should be available to everyone. Good on the Ind Gov and BCCI for doing the right thing by the pple

 

[LongHopCassidy]

However, the ICC contends ( and rightly so IMO) that this would lead to a drastic loss of revenues in cricket, as India is the financial backbone of cricket. They contend that without this money ( money generated by exclusive contracts for matches, for which cable companies shell out hundreds of millions of dollars) cricket in Sri Lanka, West Indies and some other nations may not be able to survive.

I beg to differ. Stadiums for international games (especially Mumbai, with a 40,000 capacity for Wankhede in a city of 15 million) usually have the potential to sell out a dozen times over. Even if mainstream India can watch for free, there won't be any problems selling out Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

On top of this, the advertising potential is huge considering the increased amount of people watching. The revenues from this could even surpass the pay television contracts.

 

[honestbharani]

yeah, I think it would be a positive move.

 

[Deja moo]

Does this include away games as well ?