It’s easier said than done when channels claim exhaustive and extensive coverage of events like the Fifa World Cup. As the month marks the Fifa season, news channels are focusing on this major sporting event to explore ways to present it. More importantly, look at the logistics of presenting this event.

Some of the Indian news channels have decided to send their respective camera units to Germany for on-ground coverage. For example, Times Now will have a team dedicated for Fifa WC coverage.

Besides Times Now team, the channel will leverage its partner Reuters’ infrastructure. Reuters, which holds 26 per cent stake in Times Now’s parent, will have 32 reporters on the ground in Germany to which Times Now will have exclusive access, Das Gupta highlights his channel’s advantages.

CNN IBN and Channel7, the two news channels managed by Global Broadcasting News, will have a dedicated team in Germany too. CNN IBN marketing director Dilip Venkatraman says,"The channel will be sending their sports correspondent Rudranil Das for the coverage, while Channel7 has sent one of their correspondents to Germany a month before the start of the World Cup."

Channel7’s sports editor Shantanu Guha Ray, formerly with ESPN India, is believed to be the only television journalist from India to travel to all World Cup venues and has done news features and interviews that are presently being showcased in a special 24-minute show, Passion 2006 on the channel, says Venkatraman.

CNN International sports correspondent Patrick Snell

Both Channel7 and CNN IBN would look at leveraging partner CNN global coverage of the soccer fiesta. CNN International sports correspondent Patrick Snell says, “There will be a wealth of other material coming into CNN. Some of which we will be able to use if we want to, but most of our output will be driven by what our production teams in Germany generate.”

Media Content & Communications Services will send one correspondent for Star News and two correspondents for Star Ananda’s soccer coverage. Zee News has two teams to cover the World Cup. Sahara Samay Rashtriya will send two of its correspondents to cover the semi-finals and the final matches.

But there are those who will depend on wire agencies to put together World Cup packages. TV Today Network, managing Hindi market leader Aaj Tak and its English sibling Headlines Today, apart from two other channels, is not sending anybody to Germany for coverage.

TV Today news director QW Naqvi said, “We won’t be sending any of our correspondents to cover the World Cup. However, we will be mounting a series of special shows. We have launched a daily show that profiles various teams, star players and the venues. During the tournament we will increase our coverage and include pre and post match analysis.”

TV Today Network also has an editorial and promotional tie up with ESPN from cross promotions of various properties.