PTI
 
New Delhi, Jul 30: The Supreme Court will on Monday hear TEN Sports' petition seeking to restrain Prasar Bharti from interfering with its exclusive telecast rights of the forthcoming major cricket, hockey and tennis events.

The matter will be heard by a Bench of Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice Markandey Katju which had earlier issued notices to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Prasar Bharti on TEN Sports' plea.

The channel did not want to share the feed of upcoming cricket tri-series, Champions Trophy and World Cup hockey (men and women), and US Open Tennis with the public broadcaster.

In its application filed in the court, TEN Sports said it has obtained exclusive telecast rights of the above-mentioned sports events on payment of huge money and expressed the apprehension that by virtue of order dated April 5, 2006, Prasar Bharti may insist on the petitioner sharing with it the feed of ensuing hockey events and US Open Tennis tournament.

The petitioner said the women's Champions Trophy and World Cup hockey events were not covered by the said order but it included the events in the application by way of abundant caution.

By virtue of the recent Downlinking Guidelines issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, TEN Sports said it will also be required to share the feed of the forthcoming cricket tri-series to be played in Sri Lanka between India, South Africa and the host nation from August 14 to 29, 2006.

Pointing out that the operation of the relevant part of the said Downlinking Guidelines were stayed on May 9, it requested the Court to pass a similar order with regard to the forthcoming sports events.