IPL 2018: IPL Franchisees to Oppose Change in Match Timings

The Indian Premier League franchises are reportedly unhappy with upcoming seasons change in timings. According to the latest reports, the broadcaster have asked the BCCI governing to change the timings of the matches, i.e. 4 PM matches to 5:30 PM whereas the 8 PM matches have been shifted to 7 PM.

The Matter-: 

The IPL governing body on Monday announced that the timings for the upcoming edition of IPL which is scheduled to begin on 7^th April. The new broadcasters of the IPL Star India have proposed to push the evening match which earlier took place at 4 PM IST to 5:30. While the match which took place at 8 PM to be shifted to 7 PM IST. This way the evening match will finish earlier, and the full match will receive prime-time coverage. The IPL governing body have reportedly accepted the proposal, but the franchises are unhappy with the decision being made with any of their consent.

Franchisee’s unhappy-:

Three of the franchisees have told the Time of India: 

“we heard it from the media about the match timings being changed. The least the BCCI could’ve done is engaged with the teams before taking a decision like that.”

A source close to the development said:

“The franchises are not in agreement with this proposal and will take it up with the IPL. They are in fact quite not very happy that something as important as this hasn’t even discussed with them.” 

However, the broadcasters, Star India are within their rights to ask for a change the timings but the fault lies with the IPL governing body who did not discuss it with the franchisees who have a 50 percent stake in IPL’s revenue model.

Rajiv Shukla’s Say-:

IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said that the change in timing is just a proposal by the broadcasters:

“The IPL Governing Council considered the request of the broadcaster to have a 7 pm match. The final decision will be taken after the taking the views of the other stakeholders.”   

A governing council official also added:

“Star Sports is of the view that the matches need to start early to ensure that the people in the interiors watch the action too. It will improve the ratings.”

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