In exercise of the powers conferred by clause s of subsection of section 2 of the Sports Broadcasting Signals

## Report on Government Notifications Regarding Sports Broadcasting **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes two notifications from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, dated March 1, 2021, which amend existing regulations regarding the mandatory sharing of sports broadcasting signals with Prasar Bharati. The notifications, S.O. 975(E) and S.O. 976(E), identify specific sporting events of national importance that must be shared. S.O. 975(E) supersedes earlier notifications (S.O. 302(E), dated January 27, 2017 and S.O. 56(E), dated January 2, 2020) and details various events including the Summer Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and specific matches in Tennis, Hockey, Football and Khelo India Games. S.O. 976(E) supersedes notification S.O. 3264(E) dated October 22, 2016, and outlines cricket events of national importance. These notifications ensure wider public access to key sporting events. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of two government notifications pertaining to the mandatory sharing of sports broadcasting signals with Prasar Bharati. The analysis is based solely on the content of the provided notification texts, focusing on the changes introduced and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** These notifications are amendments to existing regulations established under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007, and the Sports Broadcast Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Rules, 2007. The core objective of the overarching policy (as inferred from the notification texts) is to ensure that sporting events of national importance are accessible to a wider audience through Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan). **4. Background and Rationale:** The notifications serve as amendments to earlier notifications, which suggests a periodic review and update of the list of "sporting events of national importance." The likely reason for these specific amendments is to update the list of designated sporting events, potentially reflecting changes in public interest, sporting landscape, and government priorities concerning sports promotion and accessibility. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** These notifications introduce several critical changes by superseding earlier notifications. * **What specific part of the original policy is being changed:** The specific list of sporting events classified as being of national importance is being updated. * **What the *new* rule/provision *is*, based *only* on the amendment text:** * **S.O. 975(E):** Specifies the following as sporting events of national importance: 1. Summer Olympics 2. Commonwealth Games 3. Asian Games 4. Special Olympics 5. Paralympics 6. Specific events related to Tennis (Davis Cup, Grand Slam Tournaments), Hockey (World Cup, Champions Trophy, Indira Gandhi Gold Cup for Women), Football (World Cup, Asia Cup, Santosh Trophy), and Khelo India Games. * **S.O. 976(E):** Specifies the following cricket events as sporting events of national importance: 1. All official OneDay and Twenty20 matches played by the Indian Men's Cricket Team and such Test matches as are considered to be of high public interest by the Central Government. 2. Semifinals and finals of Men's World Cup and International Cricket Council Championship Trophy. * **Explain the *difference* or the *effect* of this specific change:** The primary effect is to mandate the sharing of broadcast signals for the newly specified events with Prasar Bharati. This expands the scope of events that must be made available to the public through Prasar Bharati's channels. The inclusion of Khelo India Games signals the government's commitment to promoting grassroots sports. The specifics related to Tennis, Hockey and Football matches further define the extent of mandatory sharing, focusing on matches featuring India and key stages of major tournaments. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The direct target audience includes: * **Prasar Bharati:** Obligated to broadcast the designated sporting events. * **Sports Broadcasters:** Required to share signals with Prasar Bharati for the specified events. * **The General Public:** Beneficiaries who gain access to these events through Prasar Bharati's channels. * **Sports Federations/Organizers:** Affected by broadcasting arrangements. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies mentioned:** The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is the responsible agency, as indicated by the notifications' origin. * **Timelines or procedures specified *in the text*?:** The effective date is implied as March 1, 2021 (the date of the notifications). The text doesn't provide specific procedures or timelines beyond this. Implementation aspects related *specifically to the changes*: Broadcasters must now include the newly listed sporting events in their signal-sharing arrangements with Prasar Bharati, as legally mandated. This likely requires adjustments to broadcasting schedules and resource allocation. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these changes is: * Increased viewership and public engagement with a broader range of sporting events of national importance, including grassroots events like the Khelo India Games. * Greater accessibility for citizens who may not have access to private broadcasting services. * Promotion of sports and national pride. **9. Conclusion:** The notifications S.O. 975(E) and S.O. 976(E) represent a periodic update to the regulations governing the mandatory sharing of sports broadcasting signals with Prasar Bharati. By designating specific sporting events, including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and key matches in Tennis, Hockey, Football, Cricket and Khelo India Games, as being of national importance, the government aims to ensure wider public access and promote sports within the nation. These amendments will require sports broadcasters to comply with the new signal-sharing requirements, potentially influencing their broadcasting strategies and resource allocation.

Key Entities Referenced