Doordarshan-India to boost DD Sports channel

The Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan has started the exercise to strengthen its free-to-air (FTA) sports channel, DD Sports. DD has decided to acquire live/deferred live media rights to sporting properties and sports documentaries from production houses and sports management agencies. 

Following the announcement, DD has issued two proposals inviting production houses/sports management agencies with appropriate rights for acquiring sports programmes in live/deferred live/recorded formats under acquisition category and documentaries under sponsored category. The telecast rights should be for at least three years and include all channels of Doordarshan (terrestrial and satellite). 

The offer from agencies/production houses have to include all terms and conditions as per the sponsored guidelines. The last date for submitting the proposals is 15 days from the date of announcement. This  move is said to have an impact on the sports broadcasting industry in India.