Dream Expert [Reliance Digital TV]

My Location: gujarat My DTH Service: Reliance Digital TV HD, Satellite Setup: Measat 3 91.5E Posts: 1,027 Thanks Given: 331 Thanks Received: 340 in 276 posts Joined: Oct 2011 Reputation: 46 Star Sports, ESPN may go separate ways in India after 18 years together

ESPN Star Sports (ESS), the 18-year-old sports broadcasting joint venture between ESPN International and possible operational split of its Indian business. The move aims to boost the Indian footprint ESPNs parent both parties to pursue expansion in Indias booming

Disney, which recently completed the acquisition of Mumbai-based UTV and its several television channels, is k Internationally, Disney controls a majority interest in ESPN Inc. The ESS venture, set up by the overseas arm o is Indias leading sports broadcaster. The joint venture also operates 17 channels

According to sources, there are several options before the ESS promoters, including an outright split in the glo India business, among others. In an operational split, ESS will need to work out the modality of dividing revenues. Talks for a split between the two partners were recently renewed. Division of sports broadcasting Sports channels and a model India revenues are

reviewed, said a source in the sports broadcasting business. Any decision will take several months as there be reviewed, sources

When contacted, an ESS spokesperson said: We do not comment on speculation and rumors. When asked wh expected anytime soon, the company said: ESPN STAR Sports continues to run

Leading consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers too declined to comment, since it audits both ESPN and Disne parties have been discussing the matter for some time. Currently, the JV is neither being fully run by Disney n are settled, other things will fall in place, said the head of media and entertainment practice

ESS operates in India through ESPN Software India and operates channels including ESPN, Star Sports, Star Cr has revenues in excess of R2,500 crore including advertising and subscription revenue. The joint venture own properties like the ICC World Cup cricket, BCCIs T20 Champions League apart from overseas cricket rights fr others.

According to one person, ESPN may retain the ICC cricket rights while the Star bouquet of sports channels ma

According to Mihir Shah, India analyst for Media Partners Asia, such a move will help UTV get a channel d channel space is crowded. If ESPN actually comes under the Disney fold, it will become the bouquet driver. MediaPro was formed, the sports broadcasting business of both Star and Zee were kept out. May be this wa been on cards for some time now, Source-financial express