New Delhi: The Union ministry of information and broadcasting has issued a directive to all sports broadcasters in the country making it mandatory to run a ticker during the live broadcast of the “sports events of national importance” that the game can also be viewed on DD network channels.

The I&B ministry order states, “In view of the gazette notifications dated 22.10.2016, 27.01.2017 and 15.09.2017, all channels broadcasting live sports events of national importance are directed to display a ticker.” The broadcasters have been asked to run a scroll stating, “This match/ game can also be viewed on DD Sports channel on DD Free Dish DTH and DD’s terrestrial network on free-to-air basis”.

“Further, the channels shall carry only this ticker, in appropriate colour, font and size (making it prominently visible) repeated every 15 minutes. The ticker may be displayed from the point of start of live broadcast to the end of live broadcast related to the sports event on the DTH/Cable Platform,” the directive added.

Sources stated that the broadcasters have been advised to adhere to the instruction strictly and the directive comes into force with immediate effect.

However, it is understood that the broadcasting sector is unhappy with the directive. Indu-stry sources stated that the order forces sports broadcasters not only share their rights, but also promote DD Sports.  

As per repeated government directives, sports broadcasters have to mandatorily share the feed of “sports events of national importance” with the Prasar Bharati-owned channels under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 (II of 2007).