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[Libran]

NEW DELHI, July 17: With just two days to go for the India-England cricket series, uncertainty remains on whether cable TV viewers and DTH subscribers, especially those of Tata Sky, will be able to watch the matches as sports broadcaster ESPN Star and service providers are yet to reach an agreement.

"We are exploring all possible ways to protect our customers from the rise in costs as Star Cricket is a pay channel. Currently, we are in negotiations and are attempting to find a solution in the best interest of customers," a Tata Sky spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said even if Tata Sky was unable to strike a deal with ESPN Star, subscribers would be able to watch the One-day matches on public broadcaster Doordarshan.

ESPN Star's decision to beam the cricket series only on its new channel Star Cricket has caught the service providers off-guard.

"The cricket matches were expected to be featured on broadcaster's existing channels -- ESPN and Star Sports, but now we are informed that Star Cricket, which is also a pay channel, will carry the same," the spokesperson said.

When contacted, an ESPN Star official said negotiations with Tata Sky were still going on.

ESPN has signed MSO Incable for its operations in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and Dish TV to carry its newly-launched channel Star Cricket.

Cable operators also said discussions with ESPN were going on and they were hopeful of concluding a deal soon.

Cable Operators Association of India President Roop Sharma said: "The talks between ESPN and cable operators are inconclusive as the broadcaster has priced its channel high and subscribers are not ready to pay extra for that."

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2211421.cms
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And the games begin....business as usual for the TV channel and the cable operators...and the subscriber can "go to hell"

[broadbat]

And to think that Murdoch has a stake in TataSky. Thankfully I did not let go of my local cablewallah when getting TatSky. They are beaming Star Cricket. Have to only put up with HB.

[justforkix]

ESPN wants Rs. 70 per month for Star Cricket, whereas TataSky, Cablewalahs don't want to pay more than Rs. 46.

[broadbat]

ESPN wants Rs. 70 per month for Star Cricket

Maybe if they dumped their high profile commentry team they could manage with less.

[keep-it-cool]

ESPN wants Rs. 70 per month for Star Cricket

Maybe if they dumped their high profile commentry team they could manage with less.

LOL .. its not about what they can manage with ... its about how much they think they can get

[Libran]

ESPN wants Rs. 70 per month for Star Cricket

Maybe if they dumped their high profile commentry team they could manage with less.

Outside of this DG, the commentary team actually commands a premium....So, if they dump them, Star will have to pay the viewers to watch 

[broadbat]

ESPN wants Rs. 70 per month for Star Cricket

Maybe if they dumped their high profile commentry team they could manage with less.

Outside of this DG, the commentary team actually commands a premium....So, if they dump them, Star will have to pay the viewers to watch 

Really,I thought with hundred cameras,stump mikes, slow mo replays and innumerable graphics there was very liitle value these guys added to the show except of course when there is no play.

[Libran]

ESPN wants Rs. 70 per month for Star Cricket

Maybe if they dumped their high profile commentry team they could manage with less.

Outside of this DG, the commentary team actually commands a premium....So, if they dump them, Star will have to pay the viewers to watch 

Really,I thought with hundred cameras,stump mikes, slow mo replays and innumerable graphics there was very liitle value these guys added to the show except of course when there is no play.

Alan Wilkins, Shastri, Akram, Boycott...oh boy...they do add value...so does SMG, while some of our DGians think otherwise

[pipsqueak]

ESPN wants Rs. 70 per month for Star Cricket

Maybe if they dumped their high profile commentry team they could manage with less.

Outside of this DG, the commentary team actually commands a premium....So, if they dump them, Star will have to pay the viewers to watch 

Really,I thought with hundred cameras,stump mikes, slow mo replays and innumerable graphics there was very liitle value these guys added to the show except of course when there is no play.

Alan Wilkins, Shastri, Akram, Boycott...oh boy...they do add value...so does SMG, while some of our DGians think otherwise

....but i also have to endure gautam bhimani! he was there for the warm-up matches but if he is there for the actual cricket as well, i will have no choice but mute my TV. alan wilkins seems to be an all-rounder. he was there along with v amritraj for the wimbledon.

ravi shastri is still stuck at "be rest assured".

[Libran]

In the Garden City of Bangalore...we endure potholes ....

[broadbat]

so does SMG, while some of our DGians think otherwise

He has an irritating habit of still talking while the bowler is in his delivery stride. Also he takes all viewers to be school boys and tries to explain every obvious bit. This is not the radio you know?

ravi shastri is still stuck at "be rest assured".

and at " I have a feeling something is about to give"
HB poor fellow seems so happy to be there amongst all the greats that both his smile and chatter never stops.
Alan Wilkins seems OK. In fact we need more like him.

[broadbat]

Latest is TataSky has signed up with Star Cricket?

[LosingNow]

so does SMG, while some of our DGians think otherwise

He has an irritating habit of still talking while the bowler is in his delivery stride. Also he takes all viewers to be school boys and tries to explain every obvious bit. This is not the radio you know?

ravi shastri is still stuck at "be rest assured".

and at " I have a feeling something is about to give"
HB poor fellow seems so happy to be there amongst all the greats that both his smile and chatter never stops.
Alan Wilkins seems OK. In fact we need more like him.

Well.. they are the best group, IMO. (alternatives - Arun Lal, Sivaramakrishnan, srinath .....)

[pipsqueak]

so does SMG, while some of our DGians think otherwise

He has an irritating habit of still talking while the bowler is in his delivery stride. Also he takes all viewers to be school boys and tries to explain every obvious bit. This is not the radio you know?

ravi shastri is still stuck at "be rest assured".

and at " I have a feeling something is about to give"
HB poor fellow seems so happy to be there amongst all the greats that both his smile and chatter never stops.
Alan Wilkins seems OK. In fact we need more like him.

Well.. they are the best group, IMO. (alternatives - Arun Lal, Sivaramakrishnan, srinath .....)

.....but isn't it time someone some where told ravi shastri that it is "rest assured" and not "be rest assured"? i have heard him say this for 5 years now!

[LosingNow]

so does SMG, while some of our DGians think otherwise

He has an irritating habit of still talking while the bowler is in his delivery stride. Also he takes all viewers to be school boys and tries to explain every obvious bit. This is not the radio you know?

ravi shastri is still stuck at "be rest assured".

and at " I have a feeling something is about to give"
HB poor fellow seems so happy to be there amongst all the greats that both his smile and chatter never stops.
Alan Wilkins seems OK. In fact we need more like him.

Well.. they are the best group, IMO. (alternatives - Arun Lal, Sivaramakrishnan, srinath .....)

.....but isn't it time someone some where told ravi shastri that it is "rest assured" and not "be rest assured"? i have heard him say this for 5 years now!

OK