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Prasar Bharati, WSN reach agreement on terms for ICC cricket telecast
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has agreed to accept a third-party guarantee for minimum revenue from Nimbus Communications Ltd for the ICC cricket matches to be telecast on national broadcaster Doordarshan.
Doordarshan has bagged the terrestrial telecast rights after negotiations with World Sport Nimbus, a joint venture between World Sport Group and Harish Thawani’s Nimbus Communications.
Though some doubts were raised initially, the decision was taken because of the legal validity of a third party giving the bank guarantee and the top honchos of Prasar Bharati decided to accept the offer. After all a bank guarantee is a bank guarantee.
The guaranteed payout varies depending on whether the cricket match is classified as A, B or C. But the average MG works out to between Rs 9 and 10 million. The per match MG varies between a low of Rs 7.5 million to a high of 15 million.
As per the agreement that was signed, Nimbus Communications and not WSN will issue a bank guarantee to DD for their share of the revenues. The escrow account will be used and reciprocal jurisdiction will apply.
However, Prasar Bharati has referred a clause of the contract between it and WSN to the I&B ministry for an opinion.
The contract with WSN stipulates that in case of any arbitration, it will take place in London under the rules of ICC. Prasar Bharati has been insisting that any arbitration, if necessary, should be done under the Indian laws and as per the Arbitration Act of the country.
“We have sought the ministry’s advise on the issue and whether Prasar Bharati should insist on its stand on arbitration in India as per Indian laws, or agree to the offer of having the arbitration settled in London under ICC rules and regulations,” a senior Prasar Bharati official said. The advise from I&B ministry is still awaited.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
