BCCI’s senior officials are not at all happy with Star Sports for telecasting the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal contest on an alien channel, Star Sports first, a new channel of Star. Star Sports was to telecast the knockout stage of the Ranji Trophy, but it is showing the contest on its new platform, which is out of reach of people. There is also a live streaming of the contest on Hotstar though.
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Star Spots First is a new challenge of Star Sports and the public was left with questions for the broadcaster when there was no telecast of the game on the main channels of Star,
“This is a huge concern for us. Not many people have access to Hotstar or are aware or have subscribed to this new channel. They should’ve telecast the match on one of their main channels. As per their contract, they’re supposed to show 72 days of domestic cricket, but they’re showing events like the Under-19 Challenger Trophy. It’s time the CoA acts tough on this. All this will factor in when Star bids for the next cycle of India’s cricket at home next year,” an official told TOI.
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It is since the last season that Star has decided not to telecast Ranji Trophy league round games on television. Not even single league stage game of the 2016/17 season was telecasted while there was a live stream of two games of each league stage round of 2017/18 season on Hotstar.
Finally, it was time for some live action on television, but the decision of Star to telecast the game on the new channel hasn’t gone down with BCCI officials and fans as well.
We might see the channel changing its stance and telecasting the semi-final and final on the main channels, which are within reach of people.
Meanwhile, Star Sports First telecasted U19 Challenger Trophy, which was probably the first time when a junior domestic tournament was televised. It was also live streamed on Hotstar.
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