• England in India

Sky TV to stay at home after Indian board demand

ESPN staff
October 25, 2012
The Sky commentary team © Getty Images
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Sky Sports appears set to provide commentary on England's forthcoming tour of India from its West London headquarters rather than on site after refusing to pay an additional £500,000 demanded by the Indian board (BCCI) to work inside the grounds. It will be the first time in 20 years that an England Test series overseas will not have British TV commentary from within the venues.

Negotiations have been taking place for more than a week after a last-minute move by the BCCI to charge what it labelled "realistic costs" for use of facilities. Sky felt it had already paid this as part of its rights package.

A report in the Times said the BBC is also affected and has been asked to pay an additional £50,000 to broadcast Test Match Special from within the grounds. No other governing body makes such extra demands on broadcasters.

Sky will take the pictures supplied by Star TV, the host broadcaster, but will use its own commentary team who will be based in Isleworth. The newspaper reports that local commentary will also be available via the red-button option.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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