IPL 2018: Doordarshan likely to telecast key matches of the season

The 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to get underway. This edition is expected to be a bigger and a better affair than all the previous editions in the history of the tournament. Also, the world wide reach of IPL 2018 is expected to be a record breaking number. In a recent update, it has emerged that Doordarshan could potentially telecast the matches of the season as well.

If this happens, it would be a big news for many fans of the sport who do not have access to the mainstream line of television channels. According to Republic TV, not all matches of the IPL 2018 will be shown on the Doordarshan Network. However, the key matches, opening ceremony, and the closing ceremony will be broadcast on Doordarshan (DD).

When one talks about the key matches, this could potentially refer to the opening match, the playoffs games including the finals of the season. In all, there will be four playoffs matches – Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the final. In the season opener, the defending champions Mumbai Indians will be taking on the Chennai Super Kings.

Furthermore, the reports suggested that the revenue sharing between Star India and Doordarshan will be a 50:50 basis revenue sharing. It is worth noting that Star India had bagged the television, the digital, the Indian and the Global media rights of the IPL for the next five editions of the tournament. They had paid a whopping INR 16347.5 crore to bag the rights. Until last season, these rights were held by the Sony Pictures Network.

What the rule says

According to the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 (and a 2012 notification), all private broadcasters are required to share live broadcasting signals of sporting events of “national importance” with Prasar Bharati simultaneously, to enable the public broadcaster to re-transmit them on its terrestrial networks and direct-to-home (DTH) networks.

For the latest cricket news, follow CricTracker.