03-16-2009, 12:22 PM
MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is facing trouble from a new quarter. Broadcast partner Sony Entertainment Television India (now known as Multi Screen Media) has moved the court to protect its telecast rights.
Sony has got an injunction to stop the IPL from discussing telecast rights of the upcoming Twenty20 tournament with other channels. The Bombay High court will hear the case today.
Sony had earlier stitched an on-air sponsorship deal with Airtel Digital TV, a move which made rival DTH service provider Big TV pull out of its Rs 1.37 billion ground sponsorship agreement with IPL. While Sony said it had offered the first right of refusal to Big TV, the Reliance ADAG-owned DTH service provider refuted such claims.
Meanwhile, Sony has roped in a slew of sponsors for the IPL.
The IPL, which clashes with the general elections in India, has also run into rough weather with the Home Ministry asking the organisers to re-work on a new schedule for the cash-rich tourney.
Sony has got an injunction to stop the IPL from discussing telecast rights of the upcoming Twenty20 tournament with other channels. The Bombay High court will hear the case today.
Sony had earlier stitched an on-air sponsorship deal with Airtel Digital TV, a move which made rival DTH service provider Big TV pull out of its Rs 1.37 billion ground sponsorship agreement with IPL. While Sony said it had offered the first right of refusal to Big TV, the Reliance ADAG-owned DTH service provider refuted such claims.
Meanwhile, Sony has roped in a slew of sponsors for the IPL.
The IPL, which clashes with the general elections in India, has also run into rough weather with the Home Ministry asking the organisers to re-work on a new schedule for the cash-rich tourney.