(16 March 2007 7:45 pm)

NEW DELHI: Around 1.3 million television homes that receive TV programmes through Doordarshan’s DTH service DD Direct will miss the ICC World Cup matches, even as India begins its first clash with Bangladesh in Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow evening.

As the agreement of 2004 precludes Doordarshan from telecasting live sports feed shared with Prasar Bharati by private broadcasters, those who get their signals only from the free-to-air DD Direct will not be able to witness the matches.

Viewers subscribing to the other two DTH platforms - Zee network’s Dish TV and Tata Sky - will however, be able to see the matches either on Sony Entertainment Television India's Max or Sab TV.

According to a survey by Indian Market Research Bureau in February, around 2.26 million home all over the country receive their signals through DTH platforms.

However, Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that discussions were on with the Solicitor-General of India to see if DD Direct can seek permission from the courts to see the matches.

Interestingly, viewers of Doordarshan have the advantage of seeing two parallel feeds on DD One (DD National) because of this imbroglio. While those receiving signals through cable or through the conventional YAGI antennae will be able to see the matches being shown through the terrestrial network of the public broadcaster, those getting signals through DD Direct will be able to see some entertainment programmes put out simultaneously on a parallel feed.