SC gives green light for MTV/MBC to telecast Olympics

23 July 2012 06:19 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 25 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Supreme Court today stayed an order issued by the Commercial High Court which prevented a private TV channel from telecasting the London Olympic Games 2012 and ruled out exclusive telecast rights for the state run television channel, Rupavahaini.

The Bench comprising the Chief Justice Dr. Shiranee Bandaranayake with Justices Nimal Gamini Amaratunga and K. Sripavan gave this ruling sequel to an appeal filed by MTV Channel (Pvt.) Ltd. and MBC Network (Pvt.) Ltd. against the Colombo Commercial High Court order.

The Supreme Court observed that the main objective of the Olympic Charter and the spirit of the Olympics was the widest possible audience coverage. The Court also noted that the duration of the Olympic Games was 16 days and the games coverage was approximately a minimum of 3000 programming hours and the maximum coverage that could be given by one channel even if it telecast 24 hours a day was 384 programme hours and the public would have no access to the balance programming hours of the Olympic Games that could be telecast.

Comments - 25

Shaggy Tuesday, 24 July 2012 04:04 AM

Well done Maharajahs. Keep it up.

3 21

mujahith Saturday, 28 July 2012 10:10 AM

nicw

0 0

Namal Tuesday, 24 July 2012 09:35 AM

But i'll still watch it on Rupavahini for clarity and less gaga

11 4

Kolitha Tuesday, 24 July 2012 08:30 AM

MTV/MBC must go to court against CSN on preventing cricket matches going to mass audience.

1 6

Chatura Tuesday, 24 July 2012 08:03 AM

much appreciate the rational behind the order.

1 3

Cyclops Tuesday, 24 July 2012 07:02 AM

Hooray for MTV/MBC. They deserve it!

2 7

Suba Tuesday, 24 July 2012 05:54 AM

Once again V. Good decision made. As One Sri Lanka we must appreciate this and Anybody must have the Freedom of watching Olympics by any channel whether it is Inside Sri Lanka or outside.

1 11

Game Over Tuesday, 24 July 2012 05:18 AM

Agree, great as far as media and sports go to break monopolies. However, sad that I don't get to watch MTV as it is not with my Cable operator.

1 18

Abdul Tuesday, 24 July 2012 05:17 AM

In India about 10 channels show, ESPN-STAR & DD channels, there are so many events at the same time

1 7

FUN Tuesday, 24 July 2012 04:00 AM

They might change the decision and will hand over to CSN

4 13

Godagampala Rohana Tuesday, 24 July 2012 04:13 AM

Good Move, appreciate very much.

3 19

Kiris Baba Amaray Tuesday, 24 July 2012 04:05 AM

Right decision to the right hands. I am pretty sure only they (MTV/MBC) can handle this subject successfully.

4 15

LongLeg Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:58 AM

thank god now sirasa will give priority to more important issues in their 7pm news - we have been hearing nothing but this for a long time on Sirasa news

2 10

wasi Monday, 23 July 2012 11:24 PM

even the hosting might not be such difficult ...

1 60

Minister Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:58 AM

I hope there will be a grand celebration at Pannipitiya today similar to the one in Colombo 7 a few days ago.

2 12

Ralph Anthony Kernr Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:48 AM

Thank you Supreme Court for the bold decision taken. We are all happy over the incident. Congratulations MTV

3 20

Sagara Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:55 AM

Very wise observation by the Supreme Court which no one highlighted about it so far which no single TV channel can cover the games as it happens in parallel. Excellent precedent if not observed anywhere in the world! There is no such thing as exclusive broadcast rights when it comes to Olympics.

3 17

Yohan Perera Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:40 AM

Good move... Media Mafia can suck their fingers now!!!

4 19

Andrew Pitugala Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:22 AM

What about the Cricket broadcasts ? For cricket mad Srilanka Cricket also should be broadcast by SLBC for the widest coverage.

3 16

Thomas Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:25 AM

Still Justice prevails in Sri Lanka, in spite of threats to the Judicatory.

6 21

con Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:18 AM

Excellent Decision-well done

4 21

Dee Tuesday, 24 July 2012 03:03 AM

At least some sanity prevails!

5 49

nalakap Tuesday, 24 July 2012 12:47 AM

great news

5 65

raheem Tuesday, 24 July 2012 12:08 AM

fantastic decision.congrats mtv

7 95

Sun A Tuesday, 24 July 2012 12:08 AM

Thank you Supreme Court.Good thing should always be given to people. Hail the spirit of Olympics, Race, Nationality does not prevent people from taking part. Be the same with tv rights. All Sri Lankans should have access to this despite where they live.

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