ICC 'bars' TV channels from World Cup coverage

Coverage of the World Cup in the Indian electronic media has come under a cloud with the ICC on Monday barring non-rights-holding channels from access to the remaining matches for alleged breach of its accreditation rules and guidelines. The channels will be barred from practice sessions and the press conferences related to the three remaining matches, including Wednesday's semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali, unless they sign a written undertaking that they will adhere to the ICC guidelines.

"The channels have violated the terms and conditions of the accreditation agreement and news access guidelines they signed up to at the start of the tournament," an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. "Their accreditations have been deactivated." It is believed that at least 40 leading channels will be affected.

Apparently the ICC has repeatedly warned the channels of violations during the tournament and took the decision to bar them only after the guidelines continued to be breached. It is believed that the breaches have been of a commercial nature; there could be elements of ambush marketing involved with the channels running shows sponsored by companies that are in competition with the ICC sponsors.

Meanwhile, the Broadcast Editors' Association (BEA) and the National Broadcasters Association have decided to approach India's Information & Broadcasting ministry on the matter. Shazi Zaman, the BEA president, has termed the ICC move as arbitrary and an infringement of media rights, according to PTI.

ESPN-StarSports has the broadcast rights for the World Cup. The first semi-final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand will be played in Colombo tomorrow while the final will be held in Mumbai on April 2.