Kochi: Public Broadcaster Prasar Bharati today (Dec 16, 2004) informed the Kerala High Court that due to "paucity of time," it was not possible to make arrangements for telecast of the second cricket test match between India and Bangladesh, scheduled to start at Chittagong tomorrow (Dec 17, 2004).

However, Doordarshan was willing to enter into an arrangement with ESPN for telecasting the three one-day matches starting from Dec 23, provided ESPN agrees to share the revenue in the ratio of 80:20, Deputy Director General, (Sports), Doordarshan, New Delhi, Madlini, said in a fax sent to their counsel, N N Sugunapalan.

"In the past there have been arrangements between ESPN and Doordarshan for telecast of cricketing events by Doordarshan, rights of which were held by ESPN. One such event was the Asia cup played in Sri Lanka in 2004."

The said agreement, Interalia, provided for payment of telecast fee by ESPN to Doordarshan and sharing the revenues between the ESPN and Doordarshan in the ratio of 80:20, the counsel submitted before a Division bench, comprising Chief Justice A Subashan Reddy and Justice Kurian Joseph.

The proceedings were initiated on a petition filed by S Ramesh, former Kerala Ranji captain, seeking a direction to Doordarshan to telecast the match.

"Doordarshan was willing to enter into a similar arrangement with ESPN for one day internationals to be played with Bangladesh," it was stated. In view of the submission, the bench adjourned the case to Monday for further hearing.

The counsel orally submitted that if an order is passed directing Doordarshan to telecast tomorrow's match, Doordarshan would have to face legal action from the sponsors of programmes. They have to be given notice prior to cancelling their programmes, he stated.

Yesterday, when the matter came up before the bench, the court had directed Doordarshan to inform as to how much they can pay to ESPN for getting the telecast rights.