Sourav Ganguly urged by All India Radio for IPL 2020 radio rights for 'public interest'

13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) is all set to be played in UAE starting September 19 with final scheduled to be played on vember 10. With just eight days to go for commencement of cash-rich league, All India Radio (AIR) is trying to acquire radio commentary rights for IPL 2020. 

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IPL radio rights: Prasar Bharti's CEO writes to BCCI President Sourav Ganguly

According to InsideSport,  CEO of Prasar Bharati, Shashi Shekhar Vempati has personally written to BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to grant All India Radio radio rights for IPL 2020 so that fans, who does t have access to television or internet, can enjoy IPL 2020 commentary via radio. Vempati said that he has written to BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to consider expanding current MoU arrangement to include IPL so that radio listeners get to follow matches. 

Vempati furr said that current edition of  IPL is t a part of  MoU between BCCI and Prasar Bharati but y are keen that BCCI expands scope of ir agreement, which is right w limited to home matches of Indian cricket team and certain domestic tournaments. He added that in this coronavirus situation, it will also be in public interest.

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Vempati reckoned that cricket fans are in every ok and corner of country, even at places where broadcast reach is still trivial. He opined that radio commentary can serve se audiences and ors. Vempati was hopeful that BCCI would respond to ir request at earliest. Prasar Bharti had written to BCCI last year as well, requesting m to include IPL in list but since body itself was going through restructuring,  proposal never saw light of day.

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Cricket commentary was back on All India Radio after a gap of five years in 2019. According to BCCI and Prasar Bharati's agreement, All India Radio has official rights to do audio commentary on all international games in India besides select men’s and women’s domestic matches, such as Ranji Trophy Zonal and games in Women’s Challenger Series, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy among ors.

However, IPL was t included in agreement but w All India Radio has requested for inclusion of IPL rights as well in agreement. IPL 2020 is fast approaching with just 8 days to go for lucrative league to begin. With less time left, it remains to be seen wher  BCCI will grant IPL radio rights to Prasar Bharati.

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IM COURTESY: IPL & ALL INDIA RADIO TWITTER