Broadcasting & Media Rights in Sports
Broadcasting & Media Rights in Sports
1. Meaning
Broadcasting rights in sports are the rights granted by a sports organization, league, or governing body to a broadcaster or media company to telecast, transmit, or distribute sporting events over television, radio, digital platforms, or other media.
Media rights are a broader concept and include:
Broadcasting (TV, radio, streaming)
Sponsorship and advertising rights
Online streaming / OTT platforms
Highlight packages and promotional content
Essentially, media rights are intellectual property rights relating to the commercial exploitation of sports events.
2. Importance
Revenue generation – For sports bodies, leagues, and federations.
Promotion of sport – Wider audience reach through television and digital media.
Professionalization – Helps leagues and clubs generate funds for infrastructure and player development.
Exclusive rights – Rights holders get commercial advantage; others cannot broadcast without consent.
3. Legal Framework in India
Copyright Act, 1957
Sports broadcasts involve copyright in the audiovisual work.
Organizers own copyright in the broadcast of the event; they can license or assign rights.
Contract Law
Media rights are often governed by contracts between sports bodies and broadcasters (Indian Contract Act, 1872).
Breach of contract can lead to damages, injunctions, or termination of agreement.
Competition Law (Competition Act, 2002)
Exclusive broadcasting arrangements must not violate antitrust laws.
Dominant sports bodies cannot exploit rights to stifle competition.
Trademark / Commercial Rights
Leagues may grant rights to use team logos, names, and branding in broadcasts and promotions.
4. Types of Media Rights
Television Rights – Exclusive rights for live telecast.
Radio Rights – Exclusive audio transmission rights.
Digital / OTT Rights – Streaming on apps, websites, or platforms like Disney+, Hotstar, or YouTube.
Highlight Rights – Short clips, summaries, or promotional content.
Advertising / Sponsorship Rights – Right to sell ad space during broadcasts.
5. Key Issues in Broadcasting Rights
Exclusive vs Non-Exclusive Rights – Whether one broadcaster or multiple broadcasters can transmit the event.
Revenue Sharing – Distribution of proceeds between organizers, leagues, and clubs.
Territorial Rights – Rights are often restricted to a country, region, or platform.
Piracy / Unauthorized Transmission – Courts grant injunctions against illegal streaming.
6. Leading Case Laws in India
(i) Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) v. Star India Pvt. Ltd. (2016, Delhi HC)
BCCI awarded exclusive broadcasting rights for Indian cricket matches to Star India.
Court held that the rights belong to the body organizing the event, and unauthorized broadcast by competitors is infringement of copyright.
(ii) All India Football Federation (AIFF) v. Sony Pictures Networks (2019)
Court clarified that media rights include live streaming and digital rights, and unauthorized streaming constitutes violation of contractual and intellectual property rights.
(iii) Indian Premier League (IPL) Media Rights Cases (Star India v. BCCI / Other Parties)
Courts emphasized that IPL media rights are property rights owned by BCCI, which can be assigned by auction or contract.
Breach of exclusivity leads to injunctions and damages.
(iv) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) v. Entertainment Network (India) Ltd.
Courts highlighted that media rights are commercially exploitable intellectual property and cannot be used without permission.
7. Principles Derived from Case Law
Sports bodies own broadcasting rights – They can license or assign rights to broadcasters.
Exclusive rights are protected by law – Unauthorized telecast is copyright and contract violation.
Digital / OTT rights included – Courts recognize streaming rights as part of broadcasting rights.
Contracts govern terms – Revenue sharing, duration, territory, and sublicensing are based on agreements.
Piracy is actionable – Injunctions and damages can be claimed against illegal broadcasters.
8. Illustrations / Examples
Cricket Broadcasting Rights:
BCCI sells TV rights of India vs Australia matches to Star Sports for ₹4,000 crores.
Star gets exclusive telecast and digital rights; no other broadcaster can telecast live matches.
Football / Leagues:
AIFF sells rights to Sony for Indian Super League (ISL). Sony can broadcast live, stream online, and sell highlights.
Illegal Streaming:
A website streams IPL matches without license.
BCCI/Star India can seek injunction, seizure of server, and damages.
9. Conclusion
Broadcasting & media rights in sports are valuable commercial rights owned by sports bodies.
Rights include live telecast, digital streaming, highlights, and promotional use.
Courts protect these rights under copyright law, contract law, and commercial law.
Unauthorized use or breach leads to trespass, copyright infringement, or contractual remedies.
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