An alternate content that multiplexes were banking on may remain just a pipedream. Indian Premiere League matches, which mutliplex owners hoped
would bring in the crowds, may not be screened there after all. “It didn’t work out. That’s all I know about the matter,” an IPL official said.
Inox vice-president (distribution and programming) Utpal Acharya said, “We had approached Sony last time for the screening rights. This time they decided to have a separate body for theatrical rights and tenders were invited for the same. But I am told the tenders have not been opened as yet. We were banking on the aggregator who would provide the feed to us and give the minimum guarantee. Unfortunately nothing has happened till now. It is learnt there were three bidders for the theatrical telecast rights, including UTV, PVR and Group M.
It is learnt that Sony, which owns broadcast rights, demanded a minimum guarantee (Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore per screening) to which the multiplex owners objected. “That and the tax burden were too much,” said an official.
But multiplex owners are still optimistic. “Given the embargo by producers on releasing films, it will be key to have an alternate programming strategy and IPL clearly takes the lead in filling the slots besides short film festivals, foreign language film screenings,” Anand Vishal, vice-president, marketing, Fun Cinemas said. “We plan to talk to the broadcaster directly to obtain rights to screen the matches at our multiplex,” he added.
Source – timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Seven umpires from across the country, including one from the city, have got call from Indian Premier League (IPL) for Twenty20
tournament to be played in South Africa. City-based umpire Sanjay Hazare, nephew of legendry cricketer Vijay Hazare, has been contacted by the IPL authorities.
All the seven have been sent emails by the IPL authorities asking them about their visa documents and other papers. Sources said four of the umpires, including Hazare, have only first class match experience.
When contacted, Hazare told TOI, “I have got an offer of umpiring from IPL. I am awaiting further communication in this connection.”
This is for the first time that any umpire from the city has got an offer for IPL. Hazare has umpired in Ranji matches, Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy and Sir Vijay Hazare Knock-Out One day Trophy till date. The other umpires contacted are S Ravi from Tamil Nadu, S Ranade from Pune, Sudhir Asnani from Indore, Shahvir Tarapore from Karnataka, K Hariharan from Delhi and Amish Saheba from Ahmedabad.
Sources said last year umpires with experience of only international matches were picked up by IPL but this time the management has also approached those having experience in first-class matches. The umpires are however yet to receive the schedule of the tournament. “We have just received the e-mail regarding umpiring offer but no official talks have been held with the IPL,” said one of the umpires.
Here’s evidence that the IPL has already created quite a buzz in South Africa. It took just a couple of hours for the opening game on April 18 to be sold out. Clearly, the tournament is all set to take the Rainbow Nation by storm. The cheerleaders will be there, as will the best players in the world, and all the entertainment of a glitzy Twenty20 carnival.
The tournament may have moved out of India, but there will be no shortage of crowds flocking to see the games. The double header to kick off the IPL in Cape Town has already been sold out.
It’s what we put together, the whole idea of displaying the flavour of India all throughout the tournament,” IPL commissioner Lalit Modi told CNN-IBN on Friday. “We have a lot of entertainment and great cricket around, and the way we are selling it to the people of South Africa, they should come and embrace the teams.”
IPL bosses have smartly priced tickets at very affordable rates. The lowest ticket is available at just about Rs 70, and the most expensive ticket will set you back by just a shade over Rs 1,000.
“We have taken the advice of Cricket South Africa to ensure a once in a lifetime experience for the South African fans, not only because the game of cricket is going to be interesting but also the paraphernalia that’s going to go around with it in terms of entertainment, Bollywood, as well as local artists who are going to perform,” said IPL chief executive Sundar Raman.
In a bid to maximise commerical time on television, it has been agreed that there will be a five-minute break after every 10 overs, allowing the broadcaster to fit in more advertising. The break may upset the momentum of a game, but teams concede that this format needs to consider the demands of Indian television audiences.
“In a sense, this has become a TV event for Indian crowds, but we’d hope not only Indians in South Africa but those who enjoy their cricket and enjoy entertainment will all flock to the games,” says Kolkata Knight Riders head coach John Buchanan.
So whether one is watching at home or at the stadium, the IPL promises to be quite an African safari.
Source – cricketnext.in.com
Tickets for the double-header on the opening day of Indian Premier League’s second edition at Cape Town in South Africa, on April 18, were sold out within hours of going on sale online, on Friday.
Few tickets remain to be sold for the second day’s double-header on April 19 at the same venue — Sahara Park in Newlands, the organisers said.Commenting on the sale of the IPL tickets online at www.cumputicket.com, Lalit Modi, chairman and commissioner of the cash-rich tournament, expressed hope that the first day of the Twenty20 league will see “a dream start for season 2009”.The first day’s double-header pits last year’s runners-up Chennai Super Kings with Mumbai Indians. That will be followed by defending champions Rajasthan Royals versus Royal Challengers Bangalore.On April 19, Delhi Daredevils clash with Kings XI Punjab, while Deccan Chargers take on Kolkata Knight Riders.
The preliminary round-robin phase of the tournament will see 56 matches over 34 days at eight venues — Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, East London, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Kimberley.
The two semi-finals will be held on May 22 and 23 at Pretoria and Johannesburg respectively, while the final at Johannesburg on May 24.
Source – cricket.rediff.com
To the disappointment of scores of Indian cricket fans, the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is now being held at South
Africa. While a fix on the venue ensures that the tournament is being held as per schedule on April 10, it also means that Indians will miss out on the action on field and will have to be content with watching the matches on television. When Thane Plus caught up with some fans in the city, they expressed varied opinions over this change in venue for one the most-awaited cricketing events in the world today.
Thane’s Sudhir Vaidya, a veteran cricket statistician, is also the official statistician of the tournament. He said that while the decision was made following a lot of deliberation, it was something that the organisers may have made to facilitate a smooth and enjoyable event. “Though this is disappointing for the Indian fans, there was definitely a reason why the venue for the second season of IPL was changed to South Africa. I think the economy and tourism of India will definitely get a small dent, but the flavour of the event will not change much. It is an event that the cricketing world has come to love and will support and cheer on, regardless of wherever it is going to be held,” he reckoned, adding, “This tournament gives opportunities to so many budding young players. For them, playing on foreign soil will be a huge revelation. That is one way of looking at this.”
Most fans said that it is really sad that they will not be able to catch up with the action on field. Suresh Sathe, a Thane (E) resident, reminisces his experience of visiting the D Y Patil Stadium last year to watch the final match of the tournament between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. “I remember the rush to book tickets for the match. As soon as the venue for the finals was announced, I geared up to secure the tickets for the match. The experience was simply inexplicable. The swanky new stadium was bursting with excitement and energy. The match was a rather interesting one, but not as much as some of the others in the tournament. This year, of course, I will not get the opportunity to watch the matches live, which is really disappointing. Also, it’s difficult to catch the matches that will begin at 4.30 pm as I will be at work then. I just hope I get to catch as much action of this season of IPL as I can. I don’t think I’ll be less excited this year because the match is going to be held abroad,” he said.
“Why call it Indian Premier League if it cannot be held in India?” asks a Mohat Sethi, a dejected cricket fan. Sethi says the whole point of having a tournament like this is to promote India as a brand. “Last year, the Indian government earned crores from the tournament. International events like this boost the host country’s economy and tourism. I am sure by next year, other cricketing countries will be lining up to host the event elsewhere. I think the country, on the whole, has lost a lot of opportunities to do good business because of the shift in venue,” believed Sethi.
Some residents say it was a wise decision to shift the venue to South Africa. “One cannot compromise on the security of scores of people. If security is a concern in India as the event coincides with the Parliamentary polls, I think that’s a good enough reason for the organisers change the venue,” said Riya Bose, a student and a cricket fan. “I believe that it’s always important to look at things from a larger perspective. While South Africa is a safer place to hold the event, it is a cricket-loving nation that has so many Indians who will be at the venues to cheer the players. So there won’t be a dearth of crowd support for the players. I think we should just relax, sit back and enjoy the event with our families at home,” she smiled.
