NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Indian pubcaster Prasar Bharati believes it has got the telecast rights for the upcoming "blockbuster" cricket series between Indian and Pakistan for free? That is the way Parsar Bharati CEO K Sarma has read the Madras High Court's observation in the cricket telecast case.

According to Sarma, “As per the court directives, all the money that is generated in the form of advertising would have to be deposited by the board in the court.” Sarma pointed out that in effect Doordarshan was getting the matches absolutely free under the present circumstances. He said that the court will decide in what proportion the revenue generated is to be split amongst the various parties concerned.

Sarma emphasizes that as per their understanding of the court order DD has exclusive rights for the Indian terrority.

Which raises the pertinent question.

The BCCI, by its own admission, has stated that it lost out on revenues to the tune of Rs 1.5 billion due to the telecast of the the previous three fixtures that were held last October-November involving Australia, South Africa and Pakistan (BCCI silver Jubilee ODI) on national broadcaster Doordarshan.

The value that was attached to this particular series was Rs 1.93 billion. If, as Sarma says, there is a zero payout being made to the BCCI, then the total in lost revenues that the BCCI will be suffering as a fallout from the cricket rights mess till date is a whopping Rs 3.43 billion.

A case of lost opportunity if ever there was one.

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