IPL teams not in favour of change in match timings
In a blow to IPL broadcaster Star Sports, all the eight IPL franchises have opposed the proposed change in match timings for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. Star Sports had asked the BCCI to change the timings to suit the prime-time viewership. The BCCI had accepted the request, in principle, during their previous meet in Bengaluru.
Do not want to lose out on the viewers
"No problem on days with just a single match but there will be a big one when there are doubleheaders. They won't get the complete three-hour quota...overlap will result in one-and-a-half hours of each IPL match losing out on viewers" a franchise official said.
Teams say no to 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM games
The BCCI consulted their franchises and all the eight teams were not on board for the proposed time change, which would see the 8 PM game shifted to 7 PM and the 4 PM game postponed to 5:30 PM The franchises want the BCCI to stick to the traditional timings. Star Sports had put in the request to suit the prime-time viewership.
Star Sports goes all out on the IPL
TV giant Star Sports bagged the IPL rights in a blockbuster deal which saw them fork out Rs 16,347.5 crores for a period of 5 years. The broadcaster of the IPL has the right to request that matches be played according to their timings.
Whose side will the BCCI take?
Another proposal, where the first match which is scheduled to begin at 4 PM was to be pushed forward by an hour to ensure 3-hour quota of fixtures, was also turned down by the franchises. The BCCI is now caught between the franchises and the broadcaster. IPL chairman, Rajeev Shukla stated the final decision on the matter would be taken soon.
