BBC Radio seems to have settled its dispute with BCCI officials (Board of Control for Cricket inIndia) after it confirmed that its iconic Test Match Special programme would be broadcast live from venues during England's ongoing tour of India.
The announcement follows speculation over the Test Match Special facing a "lockout" from the England tour, for the first time in nearly 40 years, because the BCCI officials had demanded an extra 50,000 pound fee to cover radio production costs at the four Tests in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Nagpur and Kolkata.
BBC chiefs have not commented publicly on reports that the BCCI were demanding the extra fee in addition to the already-agreed payment for broadcasting rights, but a spokesperson said that listeners could look forward to live coverage from grounds during the four-Test series, which starts on November 15, Sport24 said.
"We are pleased to confirm that Test Match Special will broadcast England's cricket tour of India from the grounds after agreement was reached with all parties," a BBC spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, satellite broadcaster Sky, who hold the UK rights to live television coverage of England Tests from both home and abroad, have refused to pay the additional 500 000 pound fee to the BCCI, and are set to have commentators at their headquarters near London's Heathrow Airport over pictures fed by Indian host broadcaster StarSports, the report said.
ANI
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