Sony breaks silence on IPL drama

In its first interview, Sony breaks its silence on the IPL matter, speaking exclusively to NDTV.
Rohit Gupta, President (Sales) at Multi Screen Media said that Sony had been quick to rework their advertising strategy, to maximise the potential of this mega cricketing event.

The new broadcast deal between Sony and IPL is fixed for Rs 5000 crore.

Sony has almost doubled the ad rates to Rs 4 lakh per 10 seconds as against Rs 2 lakh per 10 seconds for IPL Season 1. There are 9-10 sponsors this year as against 7 last year. The sponsors include companies like LG, Samsung Mobile, HUL, Vodafone, Airtel Digital TV, Hyundai, Havells, Godrej and Coca cola.

Also, there will be no sector specific restrictions, which means that even if there are two competitor brands, both are allowed to advertise during the same match.
Now, with Sony claiming over 70 per cent of the ad inventories already sold, they are hopeful that more revenues should trickle in easily. But experts feel that with venue moving out of India, advertisers would definitely tweak their advertising strategies.

Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman of O&M India, said, “Some adjustments will happen. Something may not be relevant and that's what marketers and media planners will have to sit and work accordingly.”

Whatever the outcome may be, IPL was set to be the only silver lining and marketers are clear they will surely ask for more bang for their money, at least for this 37-day mega cricketing event.

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IPL effect: Oz wants Davis Cup out of India

India and Australia are on the warpath over the venue of their Davis Cup clash, scheduled from May 8 to 11 in Chennai. Australia don’t want to travel to India, citing security concerns and have urged the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to move the tie to a neutral venue or to Australia itself.

The ITF has decided to send a security assessment team to India. ITF communications officer Nick Imison told HT from London that while they were not looking at a neutral venue, they would send a team. “We will be sending security experts on April 6. The fate of the Chennai tie depends on this assessment.

All India Tennis Association secretary-general Anil Khanna on Friday called Tennis Australia’s claims unwarranted.

"We are quite concerned with the way things are being portrayed," Khanna said, adding that comparing the three day tennis event to the movement moving of the 59-match, six week, eight-city Indian Premier League was unjustified.

The First Secretary (Political and Economic) at the Australian High Commission here, Tim Huggins, told HT Australia were maintaining a "high degree of caution" in their travel advisory for India. "We are aware of the public discussions of the security of all the sporting events in India. The decision to participate in the tie is for Tennis Australia to take. And they are taking advice from the Government regarding this issue."

While the ITF will take a final call, Indian authorities are ready to protest if a decision to move the tie is taken. Khanna said they would ask instead, that Australia forfeit the tie. He has also written to the ITF criticising Australia for its stand on travelling to other Asian countries, naming 21 countries that he believes Australia would object travelling to. "Should Australia be a part of Asia Oceania?" his letter states.

"In today's day and age every country in the world is facing problems. Racism, terrorism… are all world issues. Why are they pointing fingers on us only?" said Khanna.

“We don’t visualise a neutral venue at all. We will only play in India.”

“The ITF is an independent body and we are hopefull they will take a fair decision.”

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Preity stressed as IPL goes 'videsh'

Preity Zinta has no players from South Africa, neither does SRK. The star is hassled but ever-optimistic about the repercussions of the IPL being re-located to South Africa.
You sound very stressed?

These last few days have been very hard on me, thanks to all the hassles connected to the Indian Premiere League (IPL).

Was it a shock to you when the IPL was relocated to South Africa?

The situation is such, what to do? The option was to either have it outside India or not at all. No one is happy to shift from home ground. That thrill of playing across our own country at domestic tournaments is gone. Going to various cities with the matches is a high. However people can still watch it on tv. That’s still there.

But an Indian event shifted to South Africa?

I know. But we’ve to be optimistic. Last year when the IPL started everyone thought it would flop. It became the biggest hit ever. Likewise, the shift to SA could make the IPL bigger. What else can I do except be hopeful?

But it’s being translocated to a new culture and environment?

Of course it is! But what can we do? I’ve always believed whatever happens in life happens for the best. The timing of the IPL crisis was unfortunate. My most challenging film Heaven On Earth is on release. I’d have liked more time nurturing it. You know I did Heaven On Earth for myself. Lots of times I’ve done things for this reason and that. But this time it was entirely for me. And I don’t mean that in any selfish way. I just needed to connect more with my inner self. This film made me do that.

Tell me about your preparation for the role.

I’ve worked quite a lot with battered women. I’ve studied so many kinds of mental disorder. Domestic violence comes much after other forms of disorder. Every scene in Heaven On Earth rings true. I had a hundred notions on how to play the role. But when I met abused women I decided it has to be very real. I’m very proud of it. Let’s see how audiences in India react.

So the timing of IPL was unfortunate?

Yes, it was a little unfortunate. No matter how positive we try to be about the situation there’s undoubtedly a feeling of dismay about the IPL moving out of India. It’s amazing how such a thing could happen.

It’s like uprooting a national event?

Exactly. It’s like asking an actor to perform in a theatre where nobody knows him. But we’ll make sure that the quality and profile of the game doesn’t change. Only two percent of the audience watches the game in a stadium. Most of them watch the game on television. But there’s that vibe when the game happens on home ground. That spirit can’t be captured anywhere. Having said that I don’t want to sound whiny and petty. I want to thank South Africa for agreeing to host the IPL games. They’ve gone out of their way to accommodate us, flung their fields open to us. I think South Africa will make a beautiful home for the games.

Wasn’t the choice between South Africa and England?

Yes there were several options. But it finally came down to chosing between those two countries. We didn’t want to go into a place where there was too much rain. I think SA will be fun. Who knows, they might even allow me to play. That’s my secret fantasy. Miracles do happen, you know.

So is South Africa going to be the permanent venue for the IPL?

If India decides to have elections every year, who knows? Ironically, South Africa is also holding elections.

Is it just elections that ousted IPL from India? Or was there a security scare after what happened to the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan?

I refused to believe India is scared about the security. Does the country shut down because we can’t get enough security? I think we need to vote even more carefully. We must put the proper people in places of power. I don’t think we should vote for anyone —ANYONE — who has got criminal records. See their track records and then vote.

How will you be ready with the IPL in SA in time?

We Indians don’t only exist in chaos. We thrive in it. Even last year when IPL happened for the first time we grappled with all odds. I know I’m going to have sleepless nights. But that’s a different story. I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed by the relocation. But South Africa is a terrific country. I’ll have lots to do besides cricket. In Punjab it was difficult for me to move out. Preity Zinta will have a blast shopping in SA. Preity Zinta the team owner is worried. We’ve no players from SA. Neither does Shah Rukh.

Are the boys demoralized by the relocation?

Their choice was between no IPL and IPL in South Africa.

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Modi outlines 'home-away' alternative for IPL

JOHANNESBURG: Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has outlined the alternative to the 'home-away' pattern of matches, which featured at the inaugural series, for the second edition to be played in South Africa from April 18.

None of the participating teams will be based at any of the eight cities that will host matches in the series. However, each team will play twice against every other team at all venues.

"We don't have the home and away concept that we followed in India because we want the teams to play in all locations," Modi said in an interview to local radio station Talk Radio 702 on Friday evening.

"We are just going to move them around from one place to another. At the end of the day, it depends on the number of points a team gains to enter the semi-finals."

The cities that will host the IPL 2009, which was moved to South Africa because of general elections in India, are Kimberley, Bloemfontein, East London, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Port Elizabeth.

Responding to a question on interest in this form of the game outside cricket-playing nations, Modi said IPL is fast catching up in the US.

"There is a huge population in America that comes from cricketing countries and they are all watching it (IPL). We are working to make it popular in China over the next few years."

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IPL schedule announced, final at Johannesburg

Matches will be held at 4 pm (12.30 pm local time) and 8 pm (4.30pm local time) IST.

There are a total of ten double headers (two matches back to back at the same venue) with Durban hosting half of these.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi revealed that official broadcaster Sony will telecast the matches in three languages - English, Hindi and Bengali.

Schedule: All times IST (GMT + 0530)

April 18: Rajasthan Royals (RR) v Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) (4 pm) at Cape Town; Mumbai Indians (MI) v Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (8 pm) at Cape Town

April 19: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) v Deccan Chargers (DC) (4 pm) at Cape Town; Delhi Daredevils (DD) v Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) (8 pm) at Cape Town

April 20: RCB V CSK (4 pm) at Port Elizabeth

April 21: RR v MI (4 pm) at Durban; KKR v KXIP (8 pm) at Durban

April 22: DD v CSK (4 pm) at Durban; RCB v DC (8 pm) at Cape Town

April 23: KKR v RR (4 pm) at Port Elizabeth

April 24: KXIP v RCB (4 pm) at Johannesburg

April 25: KKR v CSK (4 pm) at Cape Town; DC v MI (8 pm) at Durban

April 26: RR v KXIP (4 pm) at Cape Town; RCB v DD (8 pm) Port Elizabeth

April 27: KKR v MI (4 pm) at Cape Town; CSK v DC (8 pm) at Durban

April 28: DD v RR (4 pm) at Pretoria

April 29: MI v KXIP (4 pm) at Durban; KKR v RCB (8 pm) at Durban

April 30: DD v DC (4 pm) at Pretoria; RR v CSK (8 pm) at Pretoria

May 1: RCB v KXIP (4 pm) at East London; MI v KKR (8 pm) at Durban

May 2: RR v DC (4 pm) at Johannesburg; CSK v DD (8 pm) at Port Elizabeth

May 3: MI v RCB (4 pm) at Durban; KXIP v KKR (8 pm) at East London

May 4: DC v CSK (4 pm) at Port Elizabeth

May 5: DD v KKR (4 pm) at Durban; KXIP v RR (8 pm) at Durban

May 6: MI v DC (4 pm) at Pretoria

May 7: KXIP v CSK (4 pm) at Pretoria; RCB v RR (8 pm) at Pretoria

May 8: DD v MI (4 pm) at East London

May 9: DC v KXIP (4 pm) at Bloemfontein; CSK v RR (8 pm) at Port Elizabeth

May 10: KKR v DD (4 pm) at East London; RCB v MI (8 pm) at Johannesburg

May 11: DC v RR (4 pm) at Bloemfontein

May 12: RCB v KKR (4 pm) at Pretoria; KXIP v MI (8 pm) at Pretoria

May 13: DC v DD (4 pm) at Durban

May 14: MI v RR (4 pm) at Durban; CSK v RCB (8 pm) at Durban

May 15: KXIP v DD (4 pm) at Kimberley

May 16: CSK v MI (4 pm) at Johannesburg; DC v KKR (8 pm) at Port Elizabeth

May 17: RR v DD (4 pm) at Kimberley; KXIP v DC (8 pm) at Johannesburg

May 18: CSK v KKR (4 pm) at Pretoria

May 19: DD v RCB (4 pm) at Johannesburg

May 20: CSK v KXIP (4 pm) at Durban; RR v KKR (8 pm) at Durban

May 21: DC v RCB (4 pm) at Pretoria; MI v DD (8 pm) at Pretoria

May 22: Semi Final 1 at Pretoria

May 23: Semi Final 2 at Johannesburg

May 24: Final at Johannesburg

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Why England lost the IPL race to South Africa

The moment Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi switched his travel plans to go Johannesburg instead of London, it was evident where the second edition of the Twenty20 cricket tournament is headed.

Modi dropped enough hints in his now famous late night exclusive interviews to Indian television channels to suit the prime time overseas, that South Africa is his preference, the fickle late winter weather ruling England out.

He said the organisers needed to take the weather pattern into account besides other factors like the April 26 London marathon which could make getting rooms extremely difficult. And then there is the English County season and the Test and One-day series against the West Indies.

Modi had made it clear that South Africa is a more attractive proposition what with their domestic season ending before the IPL gets underway. In England, some key venues will not be available for the IPL games without disrupting their domestic programme.

Moreover, South Africa is closer to India and that would give a time advantage over England.

Importantly, in this time of recession, the cost of holding the tournament will be cheaper in South Africa than in England, though the overall expenses will go a manifold because of the switch from India.

The other vexed problem for the organisers was the TV rights issue. In South Africa, Supersport has the rights to the IPL as well as all international cricket played in the country whereas in England Setanta holds the IPL rights and Sky Sports the international rights. Sky will have to telecast the England-West Indies series when the IPL would be on.

Simply put, South Africa has good stadiums, impeccable facilities and perfect weather to boot. Of course, the presence of Indian diaspora will be as good as it is in England and they all enjoy the shortest version of the game as seen in the Twenty20 World Championship two years ago.

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IPL signs Rs. 8200-cr deal with MSM

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) promoted Indian Premier League on Wednesday signed a whopping Rs. 8,200-crore Official Broadcast Partner agreement for nine years (up to 2017) with Multi Screen Media (MSM, formerly Sony) and World Sport Group (WSG).

MSM will now bring the 59 matches live from South Africa on SET Max with the DLF-IPL Season II set to start in South Africa on April 18, a day after the fifth and final One-Day International between South Africa and Australia.

Last year IPL had signed a contract with WSG-Sony for $1.026 billion for 10 years which included a sum of $108 million for marketing and promotion.

The fresh IPL agreement with MSM brings a happy end to a relation between the two that had soured after the BCCI cancelled the 10-year contract stating that MSM had violated the contractual obligations on two counts, mainly quality of broadcast last year and ground sponsor rights.

MSM moved the court against the termination of the 10-year contract, but on Monday the Bombay High Court rejected an interim relief for the broadcasting company. Even when the matter was in the process of litigation, there were speculation that the two parties would arrive at an out-of-court settlement and that MSM, which had made a huge profit out of the inaugural IPL last year, had offered to pay a much higher sum.

After announcing that the DLF-IPL would hold the second edition in South Africa, the IPL has achieved a major breakthrough, managing to renew the contract with MSM for a sum that can be regarded as a windfall because last year the agreement for a 10-year period was for a sum close to Rs. 4,700 crore.

Under the agreement between the IPL and franchises, the latter would share 80 per cent of the revenue from the media rights in the first five years and 60 per cent from sixth to 10th year.

The increased revenue from the media rights should mitigate the assumed fall in revenue for the IPL in the second year because the event was being moved overseas.

Best option
It is learnt that IPL had lined up two broadcasting companies — ESPN-STAR Sports and NDTV — after the fall out with MSM, but eventually MSM came up with an offer that Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, DLF-IPL, regards as the best.

“We are absolutely delighted with the new deal inked today with WSG and MSM. We have the best deal for the League and Indian cricket fans alike. I am certain that MSM will pull out all the stops in ensuring that the best technology is utilised to deliver excellent content that is creative, innovative and enriching for the cricket fans in India and across the globe,” said Mr. Modi.

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