BBC Likely To Reach Deal Over TMS Broadcasting In India

The BBC is expected to finalize a deal this week that will "avert the threat of Test Match Special being silenced, or at least grounded," for England's forthcoming cricket series in India, according to Andy Wilson of the London GUARDIAN. BBC has been "standing alongside Sky" in a dispute with the Indian cricket authorities who are "demanding extra money to cover the costs of broadcasting facilities on top of the rights agreements that have already been negotiated with Star TV." The BBC has been "backed into a corner." It has "stressed the importance of its commentators being able to convey the atmosphere from the ground," to emphasize the difference between its TMS offering and the coverage provided by sites such as TestMatchSofa.com, where the commentary is "provided from TV pictures along the same lines of Sky's Soccer Saturday programme." That leaves it in "a weak bargaining position" with the Board for Control of Cricket in India, and "must raise questions about the value of for radio rights, which "does not guarantee commentators entry to the grounds" (GUARDIAN, 10/29).