Sky and BCCI scrap over coverage of India vs England series

Sky is mulling over whether to send its commentary team to cover England's cricket tour of India following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The satellite broadcaster owns the UK rights to the series, but has received a shock demand from the BCCI to stump up more than £500,000 for commentary facilities at each of the grounds, reports the Sunday Times.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the sum quoted to Sky represents the BCCI's estimate of realistic costs in order to fulfil Sky's wish to provide unilateral and independent coverage of the series.

Studio space, audio and video feeds, a TV control room, a commentary box for the Sky team and satellite uplinking from the venues for 30 days are among the costs taken into account.

However, Sky believes these provisions should be included as part of the TV rights deal, rather than being subject to a hefty additional charge.

The pay TV giant secured the rights to the India tour earlier this year as part of a six-year agreement with the BCCI that also includes coverage of matches against Australia, the West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.