CWG telecast runs into trouble in India and abroad

Commonwealth Games infrastructure is not the only one running late. Broadcast of the 2010 Commonwealth Games has turned problematic too. While a decision is yet to be taken on who’ll telecast the Games, within the country, the slowdown is playing a spoilsport in the global coverage of the event.

New Zealand is in the midst of a broadcasting mess as far as the 2010 Games are concerned. Television New Zealand (TVNZ), a government-owned network, has cited the current recessionary conditions for surrendering its broadcast rights to the 2010 Games in the region.

In India, Prasar Bharati is outsourcing the Games’ telecast to a private player as it cannot beam the event on the hi-definition (HDTV) format, something that has been mandated by the Commonwealth Games Federation. Replying to an email, Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper on Tuesday confirmed the development. “TVNZ is considering the possibility of entering into a sub-license agreement with Sky TV,” Hooper said from London.

TVNZ fears that it may lose around 2 million pounds (NZ$5 million) if it went ahead with the coverage. The broadcaster is apprehensive about losing huge advertising revenue if it telecasts the  Games from October 3 to 14 next year, instead of popular TV shows during prime time.

According to TVNZ spokesperson Megan Richards, in previous years it was possible to absorb losses on international events but that is not manageable in the current economic climate. Just like India’s public broadcaster is planning to outsource the telecast to a private company, New Zealand’s state TV network could get into a commercial contract with Sky TV, from the Rupert Murdoch stable.

According to Hooper, TVNZ is the contracted rights holder for the 2010 Games and will remain so. But, he added that the Sky TV is in talks with TVNZ. “TVNZ holds all broadcast rights for New Zealand and does have the ability to sub-license to Sky TV, a matter that is currently under consideration, and should this occur then live coverage will be included.” He refused to divulge details on how much TVNZ paid to the Organising Committee as such matters are “confidential”.

Meanwhile, Prasar Bharati is expected to finalise a broadcaster in October for telecasting the event on the HDTV mode. Earlier this year, Prasar Bharati had called for bids from private players for telecasting the event.

The companies shortlisted by an expert committee for the telecast include International Games Broadcast Services (Switzerland), Satellite Information Service Live (UK), Nimbus Sports International Pvt Ltd (Singapore), Nimbus Communications Ltd (Mumbai) in venture with with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Big Productions of ADAG group.